Make no mistake about it, Curlin is back, and looks to be very hard to beat for Horse of the Year. He didn’t miss a beat yesterday and easily pulled past the field. Turf star, Einstein got up for second on class alone. He ran very well, and obviously can run on anything, but still is no match for the monster. Maybe no one is this year.

Assumusen’s other charge, Pyro dominated his field as well, and is back to the Pyro we grew to love early on in the Triple Crown trail. My Pal Charlie (always consistent) finished second there with Visionaire getting up for third. Visionaire doesn’t like to lead them home, but never leave him off of an exotic ticket.

Hystericalady, Ginger Punch and Dreaming of Anna all won as well making the ladies division a very tough one to rate. There are so many tough, classy females out there this year and at the moment they are all chasing Zenyatta.

Unbridled Belle won her comeback stakes race yesterday also. She may once again come back to challenge the top girls later in the year.

The pick six was a handicapper’s nightmare yesterday, but for the fan, it was a dream. The favorites proved why they are favorites, and why some of them are deserving champions. To have them still racing (since most of them are four or five), is a nice change of pace. Last year the best older male was Lawyer Ron (a second string Triple Crown horse at best), and this year we still have the Horse of the Year around. We also have a Champion two year old filly from two years ago still in top form, and last year’s Older Mare Champion. It is almost too good to be true. Their connections deserve praise and many thanks for showing us again how good the Sport of Kings used to be, and still can be again.