In today’s New York Post, John DaSilva comments on Duchess of Rokeby’s race yesterday:
6TH RACE – As the field awaited the start, both 46-1 Wind in the Forest and 26-1 Duchess of Rokeby broke through the gate. After being checked out by the vet, both were allowed to run. Wind in the Forest showed nothing, but Duchess of Rokeby got caught in traffic on the backstretch and was still able to close to finish third. She is one to watch.
Nothing we didn’t already know…on the left is her win at the Spa. That’s her on the inside, “that damned seven horse” sneaking up the rail to beat the 1.
If you’ve been reading about any of Saturday’s races, you’ll notice that I am about the only person not to have commented on Kent Desormeaux’s ride of Be Bullish. This is the race, you might recall, that, quote, ripped my heart out, unquote. I knew an inquiry had been posted, but was so cross with myself that I didn’t pay much attention, plus, so many inquiries had left results unchanged at Saratoga that I figured they’d leave it up, despite the hysterics of the crowd around me.
Well, the stewards did let the result stand, likely thinking that the best horse won and would have won without the bump, but Desormeaux was given a seven-day suspension for careless riding. Commentary on Desormeaux’s riding and the stewards’ decision: New York Daily News; Left at the Gate; Steven Crist’s blog.
Allen Jerkens’ Swap Fliparoo, last seen finishing fifth in the Noble Damsel on September 15th, is entered this Wednesday in the Beautiful Please. She will take on, among others, Tom Albertrani’s Pool Land, who won the 2006 Ruffian. 
Finally, if you’re interested in a little long-distance wagering, register for Belmont Fall SHOWdown. For a $10 entry fee, you have to choose one horse each day to finish first, second, or third; picks need to be in by noon of the racing day. It’s harder than it sounds, but fun…register and get your first pick in by noon on Wednesday.
