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THOROUGHBRED BEAT SEPTEMBER 13, 2007 by James Scully Turf test -- Watching the Arlington Million (G1), Sword Dancer Invitational (G1) and Man o' War S. (G1) in recent weeks left me desiring top-class turf racing, so I'm excited about Sunday's Woodbine Mile (Can-G1). Top miler REMARKABLE NEWS (Ven) (Chayim), winner of the Firecracker Breeders' Cup H. (G2) and Dixie S. (G2) in his last two outings, will be returning to action, and Grade 1 winner KIP DEVILLE (Kipling) and defending champion BECRUX (Ity) (Glen Jordan) will also be in the line-up. The Woodbine Mile also marks the second start back for the once-beaten, Grade 1-winning SHAKESPEARE (Theatrical [Ire]), who returned from a 21-month layoff to post a sharp score in an allowance/optional claiming event at Saratoga on August 2. Canada's top turf horse, Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) hero SKY CONQUEROR (Sky Classic), could also shorten up in trip for what promises to be an exciting affair. Arc -- Last year's pre-race focus centered around Deep Impact, who flopped mightily while testing international waters in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1). With an uninspiring Rail Link stealing the spotlight, the 1 1/2-mile French classic left a lot to be desired. The 2007 edition promises to be much deeper with talent. American racing fans are aware of AUTHORIZED (Montjeu [Ire]), a smashing five-length victor of the English Derby (Eng-G1) and a convincing winner over older horses in the Juddmonte International (Eng-G1) most recently, and the Arc will also feature DYLAN THOMAS (Ire) (Danehill), who shipped to the United States for a failed dirt attempt in the 2006 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). A three-time Group 1 winner this season, Dylan Thomas prepped for his Arc engagement with an excellent 1 1/2-length victory in Saturday's Irish Champion S. (Ire-G1). "He's the best I've ridden -- you're not going to get any better than this lad," jockey Kieren Fallon said afterward. MANDURO (Monsun) is the other big name in this year's Arc picture. Four-for-four in 2007, the five-year-old horse defeated Dylan Thomas two starts back in the Prince of Wales's S. (Eng-G1) and will make his second start at 12 furlongs in the October 7 event at Longchamp. Mile heavyweight -- Ramonti (Martino Alonso) was generally considered Europe's best miler by virtue of his victories in the Sussex S. (Eng-G1) and Queen Anne S. (Eng-G1), but he was no match for the sophomore filly DARJINA (Zamindar) when finishing second in Sunday's Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Fr-G1). Now a three-time Group 1 winner, Darjina's lone career setback came over soft conditions when third in the Coronation S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot, and her affinity for firm ground makes her a natural candidate for the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) at Monmouth Park. Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre wasn't ready to commit to the idea yet, but Darjina would be a top contender in the $2 million event. Miesque (1987) and Six Perfections (2003) are a couple of European-based three-year-old fillies who shipped over to defeat males in the Mile, and Ski Paradise (second in 1993) and Gorella (Fr) (close third in 2005) both held their own. Dirt safety -- Some would say it's been a con job from the start -- the necessity for synthetic tracks to improve safety for Thoroughbreds. After rushing to line the pockets of synthetic distributors, tracks like Del Mar, Keeneland, Woodbine, Hollywood Park, Turfway and Arlington Park have all had issues with their new surfaces as weather and heavy usage take an unforeseen toll. The future remains uncertain for Polytrack, Cushion Track, Tapeta and Pro Ride surfaces, which, not surprisingly, all play differently, and I'm still holding out hope that Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park and the New York tracks will resist the temptation to further eradicate the history of the sport and keep dirt racing. The idea that dirt racing is unsafe is preposterous. "It's still safety first, and we're committed to the health and well-being of our horses," said Tim Carey, President and General Manager of Hawthorne. Track Superintendent Greg Cardenas has worked for 14 years to insure the consistency of the dirt track at Hawthorne and minimize breakdowns. "For me, sand is still the real surface while Polytrack is still a learning process," Cardenas explained. "Wind changes and temperature changes are going to take place and we know how to deal with it because we've been dealing with it for years. I know very well what I'm working with when sand is involved." Hawthorne will be offering safe and reliable dirt racing beginning September 21.
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