Big Cap Weekend

The Big Cap is truly big this year -- it equals 2002's 14-horse field as the largest in the past 25 years. In Lava Man's absence, a number of legitimate contenders have stepped into the fray -- Awesome Gem (right), Student Council and Go Between already have plenty of older-horse cred, while Tiago and Great Hunter are looking to earn some (and Monterey Jazz looking to add on to his Strub win). I am most intrigued by the presence of Champs Elysees -- we know he and his entire family love the turf, so it's a bit unusual to see him here, but I suppose Bobby Frankel decided to take a shot with the synthetic surface. In any event, it should be a good race. There is a little three-year-old action as well with El Gato Malo taking on Colonel John in the Sham, but I'm not particularly excited by either one yet. I've been burned by the California-trained Derby contenders too many times in the past (obviously excepting Sunday Silence). Finally, it seems that there is a documentary on female jockeys in the making, with Patricia Cooksey advising. As women's history is what I do for a living, I will be watching their progress with great interest. I'd love to hear their take on Ladies' Day...