Fabre Likely to Divide Classic Colts

Andre Fabre’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Ocean Atlantique (American Pharoah) may head to next month’s G1 Investec Derby at Epsom, with stablemate and fellow ‘Rising Star’ Victor Ludorum (GB) (Shamardal) likely to contest the French version. Fabre has no intention of stepping Victor Ludorum up to a mile and a half yet, and the G1 Prix du Jockey Club has always been his aim. American Pharoah colt Ocean Atlantique is owned by Coolmore, whose chief Epsom hope Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) is out to 10-1 for the Derby following his Royal Ascot defeat. Ocean Atlantique finished second to the smart Pao Alto (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) in the G3 Prix La Force, before winning a listed race by five lengths at Deauville on May 31.

“It is possible that Ocean Atlantique could join Victor Ludorum in the Jockey Club. He will either run there or at Epsom,” said Fabre. “Ocean Atlantique would have more stamina, so he’s a possible for Epsom, but I have to talk to the owners and see what they want to do regarding their 3-year-olds.

“The [Epsom] picture is still a bit murky. You have the Guineas winner Kameko (Kitten’s Joy), and then the horse who won at Lingfield [English King {Fr}] looks a nice horse. Victor Ludorum is in good shape, and everything is building nicely toward the Jockey Club.”

Last year’s French Guineas winner and ‘Rising Star’ Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) was surprisingly beaten on his return to action by stablemate Magny Cours (Medaglia d’Oro)- but that was his first run for more than a year since finishing second in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club.

Fabre said, “Persian King will improve for his run. He needed it badly having not run for a year. He will go to Saint-Cloud next week for a gallop. I’m hoping to run him in the G1 Prix D’Ispahan [July 19], which unfortunately for him will be run at Chantilly rather than Longchamp. I would have preferred Longchamp, but there’s not much we can do about that.

“Magny Cours is a good horse, too. He’s a real miler–he has to go forward. He will run in the G2 Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud this weekend.”

The post Fabre Likely to Divide Classic Colts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Dettori Called Up for English King in the Derby

Frankie Dettori has been given the ride aboard G1 Investec Derby favourite English King (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) at Epsom on Saturday week, trainer Ed Walker has confirmed. The son of Camelot stamped himself as a leading contender for the premier Classic with a hugely impressive display in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial earlier in the month and is now a best priced 7-2, ahead of Andrew Balding’s G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas hero Kameko (Kitten’s Joy) at 5-1. Tom Marquand was on board English King at Lingfield, but is set to be replaced at Epsom by Dettori, who steered the remarkable Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) to a third Gold Cup success at Royal Ascot last week for English King’s owner, Bjorn Nielsen.

Walker told PA, “Frankie is going to ride English King in the Derby. I feel desperately sorry for Tom, and it is absolutely no reflection of our faith and trust in his ability. Bjorn and I mulled it over and watched all the trials, and it became increasingly clear John [Gosden] wasn’t going to have a Derby runner. After Tom won on the horse at Lingfield he asked if he’d keep the ride in the Derby, and I said to him ‘your only danger is Frankie’.

“Frankie obviously has a wealth of big-race experience and raises his game to stratospheric heights for the big races. We feel very privileged to have him on board.”

Stradivarius was one of six Royal Ascot winners for the popular Italian, who will be bidding for a third win in the Derby following his previous triumphs aboard Authorized (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) in 2007 and Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) in 2015.

Walker added, “The Derby is the Derby, and Frankie is Frankie. It’s very tough on Tom–but he has never ridden in a Classic around Epsom before, and I hope he’ll have other big days with us in the future, very possibly on this horse.

“It will be my first runner in the Derby–fingers crossed we get there–and having Frankie Dettori on board will just give me a bit of confidence as well, and obviously Frankie and Bjorn have the connection through Stradivarius. It wasn’t an easy decision. I’m sure it won’t be too long before Tom is jocking people off left, right and centre.”

English King enjoyed a Monday morning workout in Lambourn and is reported to be in fine fettle by his trainer.

“He’s in cracking form–really well in himself. I just hope we can keep him in the same form for the next 12 days,” said Walker. “We haven’t organised when it will happen yet, but Frankie will come and sit on him between now and the Derby.”

The post Dettori Called Up for English King in the Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

All You Need to Know About Poker Chip Cases

A case to protect and secure your chips, cards and dealer button is imperative to protect your investment and provide the necessary security for your chips. The chips will remain safe under lock and key during play leaving you to concentrate on your play. You can quickly determine if any chips are missing after a playing session when you rack them into the case. Poker chip cases come in a wide variety of styles, materials and price ranges. Most chip sellers offer complete sets with an included case. Inexpensive, readily available plastic chips need not be protected so the case may be as simple as a shoebox but once you move into midrange and better casino style chips you should definitely consider a quality lockable case.

Plastic Case

Entry level carrying case for chips that usually is not lockable and provides a simple method of storing and carrying you gaming chips. Plastic cases boast the lowest cost but the shortest life of the specialized chip cases. Lack of security requires constant vigilance of chips during the game.

Vinyl Case

The vinyl case is a step above the plastic case and provides greater protection for the poker chipset. The case is usually constructed from wood or plastic covered with a vinyl material. The case may or may not be lockable. A major concern issue with vinyl cases is durability. The weight of a 500 chipset of 11.5 gram poker chips is close to twenty pounds and places considerable stress on the carrying case and handle. The failure mode for most vinyl cases is separation of the handle from the case due to the weight.

Metal Case

The metal case is the most common and popular poker chip carrying case. Most metal cases are constructed from structural aluminum in a wide range of styles and price ranges. The quality of metal cases varies considerably so it is important to comparison shop and choose wisely. Some metal cases are not all metal and may have plastic panels and parts in their construction. Some are not lockable. Others have sharp corners. Exceptionally lightweight metal sheets will not last long. The ideal medal case is medium weight all metal (aluminum preferred) construction with added reinforcement in the critical stress areas plus keyed locks to keep chips secure. The finest all metal cases are constructed from aircraft quality aluminum with removable flocked chip trays, high security barrel locks, machined from solid stock handle fittings and hinges. This case is the top-of-the-line in metal cases and accordingly the most expensive chip case.

Wood Case

Another chip case option is the quality wood case with custom brass fittings. Wood cases are available in many styles and price ranges form the low end pine models to the major splurge, carved exotic wood with inlayed precious metals handmade by a master cabinet maker. Most affordable wood cases are constructed from pine, mahogany, oak and other hard woods, the best feature quality construction and finish, heavy duty handles and hinges, keyed locks and well fitting removable chip trays. As with all the cases, wood cases come in a variety of qualities and prices befitting those qualities.

Verified by MonsterInsights