NINE ENTERED IN BIG RACE

Nine horses are scheduled to go to post in tomorrow's sixth race the $50,000 International Gold Cup.

1 SHADY VALLEY; 2a A FINE STORY (GB); 3 BUBBLE ECONOMY; 4a PROFOWENS (IRE); 5 SALMO; 6 PROFESSOR MAXWELL; 7 WOODMONT; 8 BRIMSON and 9 THE OTHER ME.

The field includes to the past two winners of the big race in the spring - The Virginia Gold Cup - Salmo (pictured - yellow cap) and Bubble Economy.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS WITH SIMPLE ANSWERS

Unlike those in Presidential politics, some questions are easy to answer.

Are you going to the Fall Gold Cup Saturday?

Is the weather going to be great?

Are you gonna have fun?

YOU BETCHA!!

NO WHINING ABOUT THE ECONOMY

Do your part to jumpstart this economy.

1) BUY your tickets for the International Gold Cup
2) HIRE the best caterer you can find.
3) DON'T scrimp on quality libations.
4) HIRE somebody to drive you home.

There, that was easy.

You will have a great day and the ENTIRE GLOBAL ECONOMY will be better off for your efforts (read that "fun.")

What are you waiting for?

Hey, if AIG can afford English Premiere Soccer League team Manchester United and a $400,000 post bailout spa retreat, you can surely afford a wonderful Saturday in the country.

If nothing else, it will take you mind off the stock market!

MONTE BIANCO WINS MAJOR GOLD CUP PREP

It's not unusual for horses trying to win the International Gold Cup to win the Chronicle Cup at Middleburg prior to the timber staple at Great Meadow.

It wouldn't be all that unusual if a horse own by publisher Arthur W. (Nick) Arundel to run, and win, the International Gold Cup.

It wouldn't be completely out of the question for Monte Bianco to be both of those things.

Last weekend, Arundel's Monte Bianco, who has the Italian nom de plume for a Alp, won the Chronicle Cup and now looks like one of the best timber horses around.

According to Steeplechase Times: To say 2007 was a rough year for Monte Bianco would be like saying Elvis Presley was mildly popular. The Irish-bred son of King Of Kings made it to the races twice last year, pulling up in a Charlotte allowance timber in April before falling in the Mason Houghland at Nashville a month later.

Those efforts were sandwiched between a fall at Marlborough Point-to-Point that started his season and another in a summer schooling session that ended it. Trainer Jack Fisher summed up his feelings succinctly: “I had had it with him.”

The trainer’s tone has changed dramatically in 2008. Monte Bianco took the Radnor Hunt Cup in May and thrust himself into the race for the timber title with an authoritative 3 1/4-length victory in the $35,000 National Sporting Library Chronicle Cup Oct. 4 at the Virginia Fall Races at Glenwood Park.

What a difference a year makes.

Elvis would be so proud.

MEMORY TEST

Who won the Virginia Gold Cup last Spring?

C'mon, it wasn't that long ago...

In a strange twist of irony, the winner's name was Bubble Economy (white cap and silks) upset the 84th $100,000 Virginia Gold Cup at the expense of Miles Ahead and Hot Springs.

(Photos by Douglas Lees)