ILuvTurfRacing

Frankly, I'm a bit surprised Aidan O'Brien has decided to drop Magician back in trip to a mile after just running out such an emphatic winner of the G3 Dee Stakes at Chester over 10-1/2f recently. To me Magician looked more like a horse who'd thrive for the step up in trip to 12f next weekend at Epsom in the Derby more than he'll appreciate going back down in trip. He's very talented, but I think a mile might prove to be too sharp. My picks: 1st-Gale Force Ten(He just ran a corker in the G1 French 2000 Guineas, 1 of 4 horses who all hit the wire right together in that race), 2nd-Fort Knox 3rd-Magician 4th-First Cornerstone, that would be my super-fecta for the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas.

This just out via the European racing media: Sheikh Mohammed has just issued a decree banning the use of anabolic steroids in the United Arab Emirates, specifically Dubai. In the past horses not in training in the UAE had been permited to be administered anabolic steroids according to the article, but Sheikh Mohammed has now said anyone caught buying, selling, or using anabolic steroids for any purpose relating thoroughbred racing now in the UAE will be in violation of the new law. Considering he's head of the royal family in the UAE and the absolute ruler of Dubai, I'd imagine the decree will carry a lot of weight.

As of yesterday Dettori's legal representive was still trying to get the British Racing Authority to reconvine in an attempt to hasten Dettori's license renewal so he can get back to racing, but the BHA is saying they're still waiting on the results of 3 additional drug screens taken by France Galop, the French Racing Authority, before Dettori can even be considered for having his license renewed. I know this much, Dettori screwed up, he admitted it, he took his punishment without any b-tching, belly aching, or appeals, he did his 6 month suspension and now it seems like BHA & France Galop are purposely delaying his return. If we're gonna start slamming Dettori for testing positive for drugs lest we forget, Patrick Valezuala got suspended for failing a drug test which cost him the mount on Sunday Silence in the 1989 Belmont Stakes. Kent Desormeux's had a much publized racing career battling drug & alchol abuse. Plenty of jockey's in the sport are guilty are this, not just Dettori.

Trainer Sir Michael Stoute officially annouced this morning to the UK racing media that Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's top Epsom Derby hopeful, Telescope, has a sore left shin and "will not" be running in the G1 Epsom Derby on June 1st. Telescope missed his intended seasonal debut last week in the G2 Dante Stakes at York due to a graze on his leg that became infected.

Even though she won the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh in Ireland last September as a 2yo, connections of G1 English 1000 Guineas winner, Sky Lantern, have opted to pass on running her in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh this Sunday and have instead decided to supplement her into the G1 Epsom Oaks field in early June.

I'm sure a lot of people would disagree with me on this, but even if Encke's post-English St. Leger drug screen were called into question at this point, I don't think I'd want my horse to be awarded the English Triple Crown by default if I'm Aidan O'Brien. JMO.

Saturday's G2 Temple Stakes at Haydock should tell us alot about how Reckless Abandon will fare at Ascot in the G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes and/or the G1 King's Stand Stakes next month during the royal meeting. Reckless Abandon puts his unbeaten record on the line at Haydock against older horses for the first time, some of them proven G1 sprinters like Tangerine Trees, Sole Power, & Maarek.

Grandeur is back in Great Britain in the barn of his original trainer Jeremy Noseda. He looks probable for the G2 Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot coming up during the royal meeting in June.

This comes from AtTheRaces.com: Hopes continue to rise that Snow Fairy could make her reappearance in June in the G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal-Ascot. Her season was cut short for a second time due to a tendon injury after winning the G1 Irish Champion Stakes last September, causing her to miss the Arc & Breeders Cup. Snow Fairy's owner, Cristina Patino, confirmed the 6yo mare will stay in training for the 2013 season. Trainer Ed Dunlop said "she did her first piece of fast work on Friday and if she's ready we'd really love to take her to Ascot." This mare is as game as they come and when she's on top of her game can beat the best of them, male or female. I sure hope she makes it to the Prince of Wales's Stakes next month!!

@BrianZipse, You had Libertarian entered as "probable" for the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup. There's no way he can run in the Tattersalls Gold Cup because it's for 4+YO and Libertarian is only a 3YO. He is however among the final 24 horses entered in the G1 Epsom Derby.