ESPN Horse Racing

After jockey Kieren Fallon won the Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday he was being interviewed about what happened to Gary Stevens, behind him. That was as much a story as the winner.

A stewards inquiry revealed Gary's horse, Chic, clipped the heels of Beneventa. It was a wonder Stevens was able to stay on the horse.

When the interviewer asked Fallon about the incident, Kieren said that "Stevens rode in those Western rodeos over in the U.S. I guess that helped him to stay on."

I caught up wtih Gary in the walking ring prior to his mount in the Royal Hunt Cup, later in the afternoon.

"It was about the scariest thing I ever encountered, without falling off," said Stevens. Who then guided Camp Commander to fifth place in a field of 31 runners.

But prior to the start of that later race, something happened that would have provoked a riot under similar circumstances at Aqueduct.

As the field was loading for the race, the track announcer stated that "#10 Vortex had 'spread a plate', and would be a nonstarter. All wagers on #10 Vortex would be refunded."

This announcement was made to the crowd of 50,000 at the track, the radio audience and the television viewers.

The 31 runners loaded into three starting gates, and were sent on their way. But wait, during the race I saw Vortex. I had used him in my exactas, and was expecting to get a refund!

The sight of him must have put a chill into the track announcer. He never mentioned his name in the call.

It was about five minutes later that a second announcement was made. Richard Hoiles, track commentator said "it was not #10 Vortex who was scratched, it was #2 Court Masterpiece." That was it. One time only. If you tried to get your refund on Vortex you were out of luck. If you did not hear the second announcement you were even more out of luck. Oh, to be a ticket stooper at Royal Ascot after that fiasco. How many thousands of pounds were thrown away?

But by that time too much champagne had been drunk, or maybe this crowd doesn't need a refund. However, I shudder to think of what the Ozone Parkers of Queens would have done, had this happened in New York, instead of at the Queen's racetrack in Ascot Park.

But enough gossip, back to horse racing.

Secretariat was the best horse I ever saw race. Dubai Millenium was the second best. And it was when he won The Prince of Wales's Stakes in 2000 that left an indelible mark. And with his untimely death, an unhealed wound. He was only sensational.

This race was also the proving grounds for Grandera and Fantastic Light. Wednesday it was Rakti, second last year, making amends with a strong run away victory. Paul Robinson was aboard for trainer Michael Jarvis.

Thursday is Ladies Day. That means trying to get an early train back to the city to avoid all of the distaffers who drink only one day a year. All day. Ladies Day.

On the track, Mr. Dinos will try to win the Grade One Ascot Gold Cup for the second year in a row. It's the smallest trophy of the five day meeting. And worth the most.

Elementary, my dear Watson, it really is gold!