Today alone there are 14 graded (or in Europe, "Group") stakes races being run at tracks such as Ascot (UK; too late to get your bets down. Sorry), Belmont Park, Churchill Downs and Santa Anita where the scenic Arcadia, California track is running five - count 'em, five - Grade 1 stakes races in advance of being the host site for next month's World Thoroughbred Championships aka the Breeders' Cup. If you find yourself at loose ends this afternoon you may want to mosey on down to your nearest track, simulcast, OTB or tune into NBCSN (check your local listings) to watch from the comfort of your own home and begin your Breeders' Cup preparations.
Tomorrow sees the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. This 1.5 mile-long $5 million euro turf race is the biggest, most important race run outside of the United States. Normally held at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, this year's event will be run at Chantilly Racecourse in - you guessed it - Chantilly, France as Longchamp is closed temporarily for renovations.
Chantilly makes for a pretty - and pretty good - substitute no? Oui oui!
You can read some race course analysis here.
Longchamp has a long and storied history, including maintaining horse races during German occupation in WW2 when the infield was requisitioned for a German anti-aircraft artillery battery and, completely unsurprisingly, was bombed by American bombers on a daylight bombing run.... on a race day with French race-going fans (and NAZI officers) in the stands. Perhaps needless to say, Longchamp underwent a significant renovation soon-thereafter, also.
I note that the greatest jockey in the history of mankind, the Italian jock Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori has drawn the far outside post on a 20-1 longshot named Order of St George (a Keeneland September sale yearling). If you're going to Chantilly tomorrow, put a handful of francs on Dettori for me. Despite being the morning line 7th or 8th betting choice - there are a nearly limitless number of UK wagering brokers with their own odds (including horses with hilarious parimutuel odds of 19-10 and 54-5) - many Euro handicapping publications are picking Dettori and Order of St George to finish in the money. Here is an American synopsis of the leading Arc de Triompe contenders.
October also sees the return of live racing to Keeneland for its 17-day fall meet. If you've never been to Keeneland, go baby go!
Roll the credits!
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