Horse Racing News on June 11, 2010

Inspired by the history-making exploits of Wesley Ward at Royal Ascot last year, two American horses will line up on opening day of the Royal Meeting on Tuesday in the hope that lightning can strike again.

The U.S. shipper Embur's Song took Woodbine by storm May 22, when she won an allowance race in near track-record time, and she should be the prohibitive favorite Sunday in the 55th running of the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks.

Saturday's Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont Park may not possess the star power of the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs or Sunday's Grade 1 Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park, but it is a much more competitive race.

Kip Deville, winner of the Breeders' Cup Mile and $3 million earner, lost his long battle with laminitis Friday. The 7-year-old horse was euthanized at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., according to a Blood-Horse report.

Zenyatta might be greatest mare who ever raced, she probably is the best horse in the country, and she certainly has captured the hearts of California fans.