Exports, Track Records and the Dash

- In these desperate financial times, a country has to do whatever it takes to sustain itself. Apparently, the salvation of the United States will be predicated on exporting stallions to Asia. Over the past few days, Peace Rules was sold to Korea, Alke was deported to Thailand and Johannesburg was expatriated to Japan. So annyong-hi kashipshio to Peace Rules, Sawatdi to Alke and sayonara to Johannesburg. Thanks for the memories.

- What was going on at Belmont Park today? It was like a NASCAR track. $35,000 claimer Super Shape tied the track record for 6.5 furlongs at 7-1 in the first. Then, in the third, Birdrun established a new record at a 8.5 furlongs in a NW1X race. It seems too coincidental that two horses with limited resumes would put in such remarkable performaces on the same day at the same track. Was the timer working correctly? Was the grounds crew testing a track condition for the next big day that they want to have fast times? Or maybe the track condition was just listed as concrete? Good one, Dana.

- The renewal of the DeFrancis Dash at Laurel Park is this Saturday after a year off because of a lack of purse money in Maryland. Vinyard Haven will be the favorite but I am rooting, as always, for Ah Day. Brooklyn Backstretch favorite Saratoga Russell is also in the race. The Grade I Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash is one of my favorite races and I attended it in 2006 when Thor's Echo won and solidified his hold on Champion Sprinter of that year. Thor's Echo was sent to Dubai by his new owner but then returned to Doug O'Neill's barn in 2007. I can't find any updates on his status. Any input you have would be greatly appreciated. We know, as a gelding, he is not standing stud anywhere.