Third Chance serves up ice cream for Arlington fans

Arlington patrons line up for free ice cream promised by Third Chance’s co-owner Ron Magers (Four Footed Fotos) Third Chance, the fast four-year-old filly owned by ABC-7 Chicago news anchorman Ron Magers, Bob Marcocchio and others, began her career with an appetizing six-length win at Arlington 25 months ago. On Saturday, she wrapped up her gifted history at the local oval with a victory by almost seven lengths, and that led to the ice cream celebration that had been publicly promised to the racing fans on hand by the acknowledged dean of Chicago newscasters. “I came up with that idea to honor the memory of the late Dave Feldman, longtime racing columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times,” Magers said during his regularly scheduled segment on Friday’s “Roe & Roeper” radio show.  “He used to promise free ice cream to regular readers of his column every now and again.

“Third Chance has to win the race (Arlington’s $66,400 Addison Commack
Stakes) for me to buy the fans on hand tomorrow free ice cream,” Magers added, “but with tomorrow’s weather forecast expected to be around 55
degrees, it may not cost me too much. She will be going against the boys
for the first time in her career, so we’re asking all the fans to give her a
little ‘Girl Power.’  If they wish for that for her, our filly should be
able to win the race — but in racing, you never know.”

Magers proved correct about Third Chance being able to win the race. The
Illinois-bred daughter of Kafwain galloped home with a 6 3/4-length win. 
He was also right about the suddenly chilly temperatures in Chicagoland. However, he was wrong about only a few people showing up to collect on the free
ice cream.  Approximately 500 Arlington fans showed up to collect, and they
all received their, ah, just desserts.

“That was all right with me,” Magers said. “I had a lot of fun with the
whole promotion and I wanted to thank all the fans at Arlington for the support
they’ve given us over the last couple of years. Third Chance finished her
Arlington career with seven wins from nine starts and she finished in the money
in the other two.”

Shortly after entry time for the Addison Cammack last Wednesday, Third Chance’s
trainer Jimmy DiVito was asked about running his filly against male rivals.

“There really weren’t a lot of other options for her,” DiVito said. “The
filly division of the stakes didn’t fill. But I think she fits here.
I think we’ll be in good shape.”

Had DiVito ever run a filly against male rivals before?

“One other time, I think,” DiVito said. “I did it with Ann of the Dance
last year in her race before the (Grade 3) Arlington-Washington Lassie. She won.

“Wait a minute, now that I think about it, I did it one other time with
Allaboutimage last year as well,” DiVito recalled. “She ‘dead-heated’ for the
win in her race so on Saturday I’ll be trying to make it three-for-three.”

Third Chance, who will race once more
before going to the breeding shed next spring to be bred to City Zip, also
proved the old adage “the third time is the charm” for Magers. She is
the third runner out
of Magers’ broodmare Temporada. The first one to race, Stormy Afternoon, broke
down early in his sophomore season.  The second foal, named Azevedo (Magers’
mother’s maiden name), was killed in a barn fire.

Temporada, incidentally, is out of
Magers’ mare Lemhi Go, who won the Grade 3 Arlington Matron in 1992 and the
Grade 2 La Prevoyante in 1993.

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com