Shuback isn't a Brit, he's an American, for what its worth. Listen to some of his interviews on Steve's show.

Maybe Wesley Ward's 2YOs should have an advantage (his previous success being known), but the rest of the field was much more experienced in terms of live racing.

The second place horse, Fratellino, was making his eighth career start. Only one other horse in the field of 21 opponents was making his/her second career start and that was the 8th place finisher, Angel's Pursuit.

Strike The Tiger won carrying 129 pounds and with no Lasix, it was a 19 pound impost from his maiden win at 110 pounds.

Historically, the performance was quite impressive.

John McCririck pronounced immediately after the race that this was a great moment for international racing and moved John Velazquez into elite company (US-based jocks winning at Royal Ascot). He also said that in the grand scheme of Royal Ascot, the Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) is one of the weaker races of the meet.

That being said, there are 30 races at the meet and 16 are group events...so any non group race would be naturally weaker.

And THAT being said, Wesley Ward said that Strike The Tiger was thought to be one of his lesser tries while there.

The Windsor has typically been the weakest of the 2year old races, but looking over the past 2 years, it has produced some pretty good horses. On the other hand the Chesham has been awful.

Also, John McCririck talks some amount of rubbish (but he makes a little sense here)

No matter how you skin this cat, it's pretty cool.

Agree, Travis.

For what it's worth...here are the US pool payouts

Race: 6 Win Place Show
1st 18 STRIKE THE TIGER (USA) 39.20 9.60
2nd 7 FRATELLINO 20.40
3rd 6 DI STEFANO 16.80
$2 Exacta 18-7 2589.00
$2 Trifecta 18-7-6 11232.20

Ward was rather funny in his visit on ATR tonight if you didn't hear it... Also had the namesake owner of Yogaroo who runs Thursday, and then Mitch Durko who is one of the breeder-partners of Strike the Tiger and part owner of Jealous Again who runs Wednesday. He was wonderful. Beautifully summarized what the experience meant to him. TOBA should use what he said as a recruitment tool for prospective owners. If you missed the segment, I'd urge you to listen... It's a rather joyful 20 minutes.

I went and read the article, when Watchmaker writes an article I agree with (the 2yo part) I take it as one of the Seven Signs of the Apocalypse. Beware, locusts are next.

Did they order another round DURING the interview? Ha. Too funny. I loved the third question which you'd have thought required more than a one word answer...but that's what you got.

Too funny...HA! Good stuff.

Jealous Again just won the Queen Mary (G2) by 4+ lengths. Yeah, going to Royal Ascot sure was a stupid idea.

Aegean, who beat Jealous Again at CD, is going on Friday in a Group 3, 6f race.

Replay on Attheraces, good for Wesley Ward, I just hope he isn't doing anything hilarious becuase you know every person in that area are asking for serious drug testing right about now

Speaking of, anyone know how their testing is over there?

WW stated in the post race interview that none of the horses he brought are bleeders. Just goes to show how the use of Lasix is so complete. Every horse gets it whether they need it or not.
Also, it was very nice of him to mention Rene Douglas, who was scheduled to make the trip.

Wesley Ward is my hero!

:$: :$:

Are you dissing Ward for the drug use or the Euros for ther lax testing even tho they dont allow any drugs?

Yogaroo is now only 9-4 to win the Norfolk tomorrow. Just as choisir took royal ascot by storm in 2003 and changed the sprints at ascot for the better, could Wesley Ward change our juvenile races?

I must look up exactly what a happy surprise means.

I am doing neither, but given racing's perception when someone gets 'hot' that they are automatically cheating, I am saying that people around there are probably saying "What the hell is this guy using for his horses to run this way"

I don't know what the rules are over there, and/or if there is a drug problem, I don't follow racing overseas except for a couple days a year

Wesley Ward has been hot with 2YO no matter where they've been run - it is most definitely his specialty, and Europe is learning that now.

I suppose you have to get gutsy now and play against him if you hope to make anything.