Odds and Ends

Controversial Aussie jockey Chris Munce officially made his comeback, riding two winners, but the Hong Kong Jockey Club is still aiming to keep him grounded (even in Australia) until next September, as per their ban. Dan Liebman argues in The Blood-Horse that he should not have been allowed to ride (and I agree). However, if we're going to uphold bans from other jurisdictions, one wonders why Patrick 'King Cobra' Biancone was ever allowed to train in the US - or why trainers with multiple drug violations can train just about anywhere in the US. One might wonder if the lack of drugs (now that some people notice them) contributed to Kip Deville's lackluster placing in the Hong Kong Mile - although Good Ba Ba's record-setting win (pictured) was impressive in its own right. It's equally possible that current US milers are simply not in the same class as those in the rest of the world - and that's even in the absence of a powerhouse like Zarkava or Goldikova. In any case, well done to Good Ba Ba - it was another great ride by Christophe Soumillon. Finally, Jess Jackson has penned a farewell to Curlin's fans; calling for a league and a commissioner of racing; while he doesn't specifically highlight the drugs issue, it is implied in his championing 'pure sport.' While I cannot say I agree with Jackson in every regard, it's good to see an owner at least attempting to keep something of an open dialogue.