ARLINGTON PARK NOTEBOOK
JULY 25, 2008
by Steve Collison
After a courageous three-quarter length tally in Ascot’s Summer Mile S. (Eng-G2) on July 12, the globetrotting ARCHIPENKO (Kingmambo) now takes on the
favorite’s role for the upcoming Arlington Million (G1) which on August 9 is
three weeks. The Million, along with the $750,000 Beverly D. and the
$400,000 Secretariat S., is one of the three Grade 1 races in Arlington’s International Festival of Racing.
The Arlington Million XXVI, to be run at a mile and a quarter over
Arlington’s world-famous turf course, has long been the goal of Archipenko’s
trainer Michael de Kock. Last weekend’s eight-furlong Ascot run was planned
as merely a tune-up for Chicago’s showcase. However, in consideration of the
shorter distance at Ascot, Archipenko responded to the encouragement of regular
rider Kevin Shea in the late stages to give de Kock his first career win in
Great Britain.
“He’s a real little champ who we thought might need the race so it was an
excellent win,” Shea said. “Mike has always wanted to have a winner in Britain
and I’m happy to share this winner with him.”
Track Surface
Races were taken off the grass on Saturday and Sunday, but three of the four races
held on that surface during the week were won in wire-to-wire fashion.
The wet weather over the weekend evidently had an effect on the main
oval as well, with nine of the 18 races being taken in wire-to-wire fashion and
four more
winners racing 2 or less lengths within the lead. That’s a 50 percent win rate
for early types, which doubles the usual number this track had been posting
since the beginning of the meet in May.
Trainers
Wayne Catalano: 35
Chris Block: 19
Moises Yanez: 18
Todd Pletcher: 18
Frank Kirby: 15
Terry Gestes: 10
Trainer Profiles
Although he’s way down the list in terms of overall winners, young trainer
TERRY GESTES still merits a look as this stable hasn’t had that many starters
to work with. With just four racing seasons under his belt, Gestes has already
established himself as an expert at getting horses ready to run with just
workouts. For instance, he wins an extraordinary 32 percent with runners coming
back following extended vacations of three months or more and is even effective
with those who have been away for a year. Proving his winning layoffs
aren’t a fluke, he’s equally adept with his three-year-old first time starters.
However, there’s a caveat here. Gestes doesn’t push his two-year-old debut
runners, with the natural result being he also doesn’t win with them.
Subsequently, pass the first time around while anticipating a big rebound the
second time out; that’s where the payoff comes.
RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH
Wednesday (7/16)
2ND — CURE’s (Stormin Fever) late running style was compromised today
by a surface that was favoring speed at least through the first few races. Added
to the problem was the fact that the eventual winner, Kemp (Take Me Out), had an
easy early lead, and it’s clear why a runner-up finish was all this horse could
accomplish. However, the gelding will loom large next out for new trainer Michael Reavis,
who has been coming out of his slumber of late.
Thursday (7/17)
1ST — HIGHEST GRADE (High Yield) was claimed away prior to his latest
effort and the gelding was claimed back today by trainer Terrill Gore. The
six-year-old gelding gained the place against $10,000 company, with the winning
Indy Moon (A.P. Indy) dropping in from much tougher starter allowances. The fact that
Gore wasted no time getting this runner back into his barn sends a strong
positive message that better days are forthcoming.
3RD — FORT RENO (Fort Chaffee) was taken by veteran trainer Frank Kirby, who doesn’t claim many
runners and typically prescribes to the notion that once a horse has left his
barn they’re gone for good. Yet the cagy Kirby took this gelding back despite
questionable form, and it’s not hard to read between the lines here.
Friday (7/18)
9TH — ROCK CHALK (Amigo) was claimed for $35,000, which is a lot to pay, but savvy veteran trainer Hugh Robertson
didn’t mind shelling it out for this hard-knocking turf specialist. That’s probably because he feels he can recoup his
owner’s cash quickly in the next couple of starts, which is most likely true.
Saturday (7/19)
10TH — DUE EAST (Orientate), a hard-hitting gelding, was claimed today by trainer
Francine Walder, who is very capable with her first off the claim runners. This
horse has been in a groove here at Arlington and although failed today will
certainly bounce back under the care of this capable conditioner.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (7/16)
3RD — STAR VECTOR (Jade Hunter) is one of those types that we typically loath,
with 15 starts and no trips to the winner’s circle. However,in this
case, we’ll make an exception as three-year-old gelding is by Jade Hunter, whose runners don’t get into gear until late in their three-year-old season or
even at four. That appears to be the case with this gangly runner who is just
now finding his coordination and best stride.
Thursday (7/17)
2ND — APPEAL WITH ZEAL (Successful Appeal), an honest running four-year-old filly, has been knocking hard on the non-winners of two allowance condition and should
get in next time around. Was compromised today by a lone front runner pace
scenario by a rival coming out of stakes competition.
Friday (7/18)
4TH — YOU DANCING DEVIL (Joyeux Danseur), a stakes-running mare, looked like a
winner today until running out of room through the lane as the lukewarm
favorite. No reason she can’t capture this same event next out although the
price may be lacking.
8TH — BIG VIC (Yankee Victor), a lightly raced three-year-old gelding, came off
the shelf today with an encouraging performance despite having some pace
problems. Trainer Christine Janks does much better the second time around anyhow
and can’t see this horse missing the winner’s circle next out.
Saturday (7/19)
3RD — SINISTER (Repent) failed to break with the rest of
this field, but the three-year-old colt did manage to show an explosive late move once getting into gear.
Would expect underrated trainer Paul McGee to find a more suitable added ground
event which puts this horse in line for all the marbles.
7TH — EBBTIDE (Stormy Atlantic), a very lightly raced four-year-old, did
everything possible to lose today and accomplished that fact very well. However,
despite his destructive nature, he still turned in a solid performance and looms large
on the rebound next out.
Sunday (7/20)
1ST — TENKILLER LAKE (Red Bullet) scored in powerful fashion first time off
the claim for top trainer Tom Amoss. Judging by the way this horse won, Amoss
has clearly found that elusive key which will now enable him to unlock this
one’s previously dormant potential. Could see him winning a stakes next
time around.
BEWARE OF THESE
Wednesday (7/16)
4TH — MAGNETIC MISS (Artax) won two straight after adding blinkers and
was looking for the hat trick today. Unfortunately, the filly has been running hard and
without a break since November and her inability to hold a straight line at the
top of the lane is her way of saying, “give me a break!”
Friday (7/18)
2ND — SIG AND ZAG (Put It Back) has been hitting on all cylinders since
coming off the shelf last month for trainer Moises
Yanez. So why don’t the three-year-old gelding’s connections protect him with a move
to the allowance ranks? Typically, a stable doesn’t like to lose young horses
with lots of productivity left unless there’s a serious physical problem lurking
beneath the surface. That’s the likely scenario here especially if Yanez keeps
him down in the claiming ranks yet again after another solid effort today.