James T. Scatuorchio’s ICY ATLANTIC (Stormy Atlantic) finished with a late
flourish to win Saturday’s $150,000
Arcadia H.
(G2), one of four graded stakes on Santa Anita Derby Day. Reserved at the
tail of the field early by Ramon Dominguez, the Todd Pletcher charge had to
steady to avoid a spill leaving the far turn. He recovered in good order, split foes
in the stretch and overhauled El Roblar (War Chant) by a head, clocking 1:35 for
the mile on Santa Anita’s firm turf. Fourth choice in the wagering as a 5-1
shot, Icy Atlantic paid $12, $6.20 and $4.80 while spearheading $1 exotics worth
$50.20 (exacta), $357.80 (trifecta) and $2,595.30 (7-2-10-3 superfecta).
The race was marred by the fatal breakdown of Hendrix (Sultry Song),
who fractured his left front cannon bone and had to be euthanized. Jockey Corey Nakatani
was thrown from Hendrix, but he fortunately escaped injury. Nakatani took off
his mount in the 10TH race.
El Roblar shadowed the front-running Willow O Wisp (Misnomer) through
fractions of :23 3/5, :48, 1:11 3/5 and 1:23 2/5. In deep stretch, El Roblar put
away the longtime leader and appeared the likely winner until just caught by Icy
Atlantic. Sent off at 8-1, the runner-up returned $8.40 and $6.20. Willow O Wisp
stayed on doggedly for third, another half-length back, to provide $5.60 at 9-2.
Crested (GB) (Fantastic Light) reported home fourth after being short of room on
the rail, followed by Hello Sunday (Fr) (Poliglote [GB]), Porto Santo (Fr) (Kingsalsa),
3-1 favorite Milk It Mick (GB) (Millkom [GB]) and Majestic Stream (Fusaichi
Pegasus), while Macduff (GB) (Machiavellian) was withdrawn.
A sometime pacemaker for his multiple Grade 1-winning stablemate English
Channel (Smart Strike), Icy Atlantic was racking up his third stakes victory,
having accounted for the 2004 Jersey Derby (G3) and 2006 Battle Field S. The
six-year-old bay has eight stakes placings on his resume as well, including a
runner-up performance in the Sunshine Millions Turf in January. His scoreline
now stands at 32-6-9-2 with $727,630 in his account.
The winner was bred in Florida by Arthur I. Appleton and commanded a bid of
$80,000 as a two-year-old in training at the 2003 OBS March sale. Out of the
unraced Frosty Promise (Frosty the Snowman), Icy Atlantic is a half-brother to a
juvenile colt named Willie N Georgie (Lightnin N Thunder), and he has an unnamed
yearling full brother. This is the family of multiple Grade 1 heroes Jolie’s
Halo (Halo) and Southern Image (Halo’s Image).
Assistant trainer Michael McCarthy said that Icy Atlantic and all 17 Pletcher
horses currently stabled at Hollywood Park would ship to Kentucky on Tuesday.