Famous International Playboys

After a lackluster performance in the Peter Pan, I'm not sure what to make of Tomcito at this point; I hope he's not following in the Declan's Moon path of 2-year-old domination, then regular bullet works, but no wins come the afternoon (although at least Declan's Moon had a long injury layoff for an excuse). Perhaps he's just waiting for the Belmont distance, or perhaps he simply doesn't like racing in this hemisphere. I'll still be keeping an eye on him as a longshot on Belmont day – just in case. I could not be anything other than impressed with Casino Drive's performance – sure, he was a little green, but he seemed to know exactly what he needed to do to win. And as Dana noted, there's another reason to like him – he's entirely drug-free. I'm still not thrilled that he's had only two starts, but if he can do it without a little chemical lift, more power to him. The Belmont was more fun back when New York didn't allow Lasix. The Peter Pan certainly makes the question of who is currently world's best 3-year-old a more interesting one. There was a lively discussion comparing Big Brown and Australia's Weekend Hussler recently – it seems they will now have to add Casino Drive into the mix. Some of the more salient Weekend Hussler vs. Big Brown comments included the following: "We havent [sic] seen many as good after just 11 starts" "Off [sic] course Weekend Hussler is the best 3yo, 9 wins from 11 starts and 6 Group 1 Wins, what more does he have to prove" "I agree Weekend Hussler probably moves under Big Brown in the world rankings, but the horses he beat in the Kentucky Derby were definitely second rate. Not exactly donkeys, but definitely second rate." I can't argue with most of those points - and I can't help but chuckle ruefully at the notion of a top horse having 'just' 11 starts in the US. The Australian press have been addressing this issue again of late, after the release of the most recent world thoroughbred rankings; I'm not entirely sure how they are figuring that Weekend Hussler 'remains the world's highest ranked 3-year-old' as he was given a 122 to Big Brown's 126, but there you are. In any case, the rankings are not much of a direct comparison - Weekend Hussler's best distance is a mile on turf and he is a 4-year-old by North American reckoning - but he certainly has an impressive record. He is the first Australian horse in 30 years to win six Group 1 races in a single season - and hey, those six wins are still twice as many starts as Big Brown had only a few weeks ago. Curlin remains top of the overall rankings, unsurprisingly, and the international press have taken notice of his nomination to the Arc - other notable nominees mentioned already are top fillies Darjina, Finsceal Beo and Peeping Fawn; Henrythenavigator could 'represent' for the 3-year-olds. Should the big names so far nominated line up in October, that will be a great race; I'd certainly pass on the Breeders' Cup for a crack at glory at Longchamps.