Cindy's Horse Racing Blog

Grand Couturier (right) drew off to win the Sword Dancer (G1) for the second time with late closing Better Talk Now taking the place spot. Also on the card, Proud Spell dug in and wouldn't allow favorite Music Note to pass her down the stretch, winning the Alabama Stakes (G1) by a head. Get the results, charts, and photos here.

Mister Big drew off to win the $702,000 Canadian Pacing Derby at Mohawk Racetrack over Western Shore and Eagle Luck. Get the results, chart, and photos here plus Thumbelina the world's smallest horse.

It was a foreign invasion in the 2008 Arlington Million as French entry Spirit One was an upset winner over Dubai-based favorite Archipenko with UK-based Mount Nelson third. Fourth place Silverfoot was the best of the US-based horses. Get the results, charts, and photos here.

Mauralakana (right) rated behind the pace then closed three wide to win the 2008 Beverly D. by 1 1/4 lengths over Communique, while Winchester ran off to win by 7 1/4 lengths in the Secretariat Stakes while favorite Tizdejavu faded to third. Get the results, charts, and photos for both races here.

Seaside Retreat caught favorite Strike a Deal in the stretch, and after a brief battle got up to win by a length in the Nijinsky Stakes (G2). His winning time of 2:00.60 set a new course record for 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Woodbine. Get the results, chart, and photos here.

It wasn't pretty and he struggled a bit to get there, but Big Brown got up in the final strides to catch pacesetter Coal Play and win the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park by 1 3/4 lengths on Sunday. It was 4 more lengths back to Cool Coal Man in third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.

There were seven other stakes on the 2008 Haskell Invitational card including the Oceanport Stakes (G3) won by Silver Tree (right) and the Taylor Made Matchmaker Stakes (G3) won by J'ray. Get the results, charts, and photos for all seven races here.

Deweycheatumnhowe (right) held off the late close by Crazed but remained unfeated, making the $1.5 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands his 15th straight career victory. Get the results, charts, and photos for this and the Hambletonian Oaks won by Creamy Mimi here.

Marlang led the whole way in the 1 1/2 mile Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine on the turf, winning over Sligovitz and favorite Solitaire in the final leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. Get the results, charts, and photos for this and the Nandi Stakes won by Cawaja Beach here.

2007 Champion 2-year-old filly Indian Blessing drew off to win by 7 lengths over Sweet Hope and Ms. Margaret H. in the 2008 Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday. Get the results, charts, and photos for this and the Flanders Stakes here.