ARLINGTON PARK NOTEBOOK
SEPTEMBER 4, 2009
by Frank Cotolo
The five-day race week provided 43 races, upping the winning-favorites
average five ticks from last week with a 35-percent total. That figure is mostly
due to the August 28 card, when six of nine favorites won. The first two days
were weak for choices, with only one the first day and two the second day. The
last two days had three apiece.
More shippers came to the Midwest. There were entries with last starts at 15
different tracks. What is most important is that three of them won. Wayne
Catalano was handling a horse coming from Monmouth who won and the two other
winners were from Lone Star and Hoosier.
Four horses returned to battle from the Churchill Downs meet with one winner,
two seconds and only one out of the money. So the Churchill invaders are still
being very competitive. Again this week, all Hawthorne returnees, five to be
exact, tanked. The Hawthorne angle is now reversed. Where we once made them
contenders, the numbers now indicate that they are toss outs their first race at
Arlington.
Trainer stats
Only 29 trainers accounted for the winners this week, whereas recent weeks
spread the wins out to more. Three trainers tripled: Catalano, Thomas Proctor
and a new name to the productive conditioners, Roger Brueggemann.
Chris Block, Paul McGee, Ron Goodridge, Moises Yanez, Donna Dupuy, Hector
Magana and Donnie Von Hemel each doubled.
Greg Geier delivered a longshot from a Fair Grounds layoff horse, so watch
this guy when he has another such entry; it may be what he is up to now.
Ian Wilkes, no stranger to the Midwest circuit, landed with a first-time
starter on the turf. Realizing Wilkes’ record with stakes horses, watch for more
which he may be prepping on the Arlington blades.
Coming up
In Saturday’s $200,000 Washington Park H. (G3), a dull group of older stakes
horse will assemble. With a general influx of shippers appearing during these
last few weeks of the season, it is no surprise that this event was a calling of
sorts for many out-of-towners.
The 1 3/16-mile Polytrack route presents UNUSUAL SUSPECT (Unusual Heat) and
CHURCH SERVICE (Pulpit) from California; PALLADIO (Lycius) from Ontario; as well
as GRAN ESTRENO (Arg) (Lucky Roberto), ELDAADER (A.P. Indy), WICKED STYLE (Macho
Uno), LET IT ROCK (Trippi) and DUBIOUS MISS (E Dubai). Though Palladio may wind
up the public choice, look for a good run from Wicked Style, who is a Grade 1
winner on Polytrack.
Also on Saturday’s bill is the Arlington-Washington Lassie (G3) and the
Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3) for two-year-olds. The choices will probably
be from the Catalano barn: SHE BE WILD (Offlee Wild) in the Lassie and DIXIE
BAND (Dixie Union) in the Futurity. Beware of Monmouth Park trainer Greg Sacco,
who brings in SUZANNE (Officer) and PISCITELLI (Victory Gallop). Even though
Sacco has never started a horse at Arlington, Monmouth shippers have, in
general, taken well to the track.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (8/26)
2ND — LIL VALRIE SUE TOO (Thunder Gulch) had a lot of speed for first-time
out at 12-1; part of a Michael Nance entry..
4TH — MR. COOLEY (Broad Brush) raced from post 8 and grinded his way to be
second by a hair to a Monmouth shipper trained by Catalano.
6TH — MAMA’S LIL’ MON (Maria’s Mon) dueled once at the quarter and once at
the half before tiring.
Thursday (8/27)
3RD — ASH (Smoke Glacken) was claimed before finishing fourth and after
showing impressive early foot; goes to Jim McMullen barn.
6TH — SHOW ME THE GOLD (Touch Gold) had good speed at 10-1, leading the
route for a while. DIFFERENTIATE (Include) makes this list again due to being
claimed and entering the Catalano barn.
8TH — TIFF’S PRINCESS (Monarchos) was a strong 17-1 invader from the recent
Churchill meet, dueling twice to stay in it..
Friday (8/28)
3RD — FIRST MOVEMENT (Concerto) won and was claimed to go to Nick Canani,
making him a bet back proposition.
4TH — ROYAL TREATMENT (Royal Roberto) had good early speed, leading to the
half, holding, and dueling again, all at 24-1.
Saturday (8/29)
4TH — DREAMINOFJOSEPHINE (El Corredor) is a Colonial import who showed great
speed on the five-furlong Polytrack run.
6TH — PRETTY TIPSY (Alke) is a green filly who dueled sharply, then veered
and bumped a rival, finishing a nice second before being disqualified and placed
fifth.
Sunday (8/30)
2ND — ANNIE’S PLACE (City Place) strongly led to the half at 14-1 before
tiring.
5TH — GRANNY’S TALE (Tale of the Cat) was bumped at the start but got back
into it with a six-wide rush and took the place.
7TH — CAJUN DIABLO (Devil Hunter) is an improving maiden and led on the turf
here only to be beaten by a 12-1 Wilkes first-time starter.
9TH — SHESA TOUGH KITTY (He’s a Tough Cat) started from the 9 position and
was all out, stalking well before tiring at 33-1.