Arlington Matron

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

 A competitive field of fillies and mares will line up for the nine-furlong
Arlington Matron H. (G3), the Memorial Day feature at Arlington Park. A strong
early pace appears likely, so we’re going to give the nod to INDESCRIBABLE
(Pleasant Tap), who brings good off-the-pace form into this event.

Trained by Graham Motion, Indescribable won two straight on synthetic
surfaces last season, then displayed a nice turn of foot to take a second-level
allowance on the turf at Hollywood Park. She finished a diminishing fifth to
subsequent Apple Blossom H. (G1) heroine Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) in the El
Encino S. (G2), and most recently was a close third in the Doubledogdare S. (G3)
at Keeneland. The chestnut projects a stalk-and-pounce trip beneath Jeremy Rose
and should offer good value.

The speedy TESSA BLUE (Awesome Again) battled for the lead in midstretch
before finishing second in both the Sixty Sails H. (G3) and Rampart H. (G2) in
her last two. The Indiana Oaks (G3) queen figures to set or force the early
fractions, but we’re concerned with her outside draw and her 3-0-2-0 record at
the distance and her 2-0-0-1 record on synthetic surfaces. She does, however,
get reunited with Larry Melancon, an excellent front-end rider.

The Carl Nafzger-trained LADY CARLOCK (Chester House) likes to close from far
back on the turf and exits an even seventh over the off going in the Churchill
Distaff Turf Mile S. (G3) on Derby Day. In her only start on a synthetic
surface, she finished a good third at Keeneland last April. Lady Carlock is a
consistent sort and rates an in-the-money threat.

WinStar Farm’s LEAH’S SECRET (Tiger Ridge) and BALLADO’S THUNDER (Saint
Ballado) will be coupled in the wagering. The former, trained by Todd Pletcher,
exits a solid runner-up effort to Ginger Punch (Awesome Again) in the Louisville
S. (G2) on Oaks Day after being a little eager in the early going. The latter,
trained by Bill Mott, was a better-than-appears eighth as the favorite in the
grassy Reluctant Guest S. in her last start. Either of these should be
respected, with the former appearing to be the stronger half of the entry.

ANGEL SMOKE (Smoke Glacken) has finished first or second in nine of 13
lifetime starts. The gray lass, fourth in the Bayakoa S. last out, will be
making her Polytrack debut and has some upset potential for the exotics. The
Pletcher-trained AWESOME ASHLEY (Unbridled’s Song) was a dead-heat, second-level
allowance winner at Keeneland in her last start and can’t be totally dismissed.

Illinois-bred STOP A TRAIN (Devil His Due) will seek her third straight
victory in this spot, but is hard to recommend.