The horses involved in what was an eventful stretch drive
and even more dramatic post-race claims of foul in Saturday’s Grade 3 Arlington
Classic seem to have exited the race in
good shape. Though the connections of victor General Election were unavailable
for comment, it can be assumed that if the sophomore son of Harlan’s Holiday came out of
his first graded victory well, the Grade 3, $200,000 American Derby on
July 13 — the second leg of Arlington Park’s Mid-America Triple — has to be on his radar.
Dorsett, disqualified for interference
from third to fourth, ran a tremendous race to step up in only his second race
since a maiden win on the Fair Grounds turf in March.
“He came out really well.
Most likely we’ll aim toward (the American Derby),” said trainer Mike Stidham,
who was pleased with the Artie Schiller colt’s effort.
It would be no surprise at all to see locally based Gefest back in the American Derby after his solid effort to finish
within 1 1/4 lengths of the winner at odds of 40-1. The same goes for runner-up Admiral Kitten, who could appreciate the extra furlong after
running out of real estate.
The English-bred Yorkshire Icon, who made late ground to
finish eighth from last, will most likely be dropped down into the allowance
ranks after not running up to expectations for trainer Danny Peitz.
“I’m a little disappointed. He was a little too keen and pulled a little bit
and didn’t have his big run like last time because of that,” Peitz stated. “We will probably come back into an allowance to see what we
really have in him.”
Yorkshire Icon raced in blinkers, in which the colt won
last out, but that equipment will most likely be removed for his next race.
Imposing Grace, a surprising winner in
the Grade 3 Arlington Matron, has exited the race in great
shape, according to trainer Wayne Catalano. A rare value on the tote board for
Catalano, Arlington’s second all-time leading trainer by wins, the 8-1 daughter
of Empire Maker seems to be an improving type.
“She came out very good. We’ll see what we’ve got here at
Arlington,” Catalano said of a next possible start.
Only making her 11th start
and first under leading jockey Channing Hill, Imposing Grace was much closer than usual,
but in a very comfortable rhythm. Her running style implies that she may
appreciate a distance of ground more than her previous races, which all came at
1 1/16 miles or less. One place she can definitely find those
distances is on Arlington’s turf course.
“She should try the turf again. She ran on it once and I
don’t think the track was right that day,” Catalano noted.
According to the
trainer, the Grade 3, $200,000 Modesty going 1 3/16 miles on the Arlington lawn
July 13 could be up next.
Beaten post-time favorite Ausus, who
defeated Imposing Grace at the wire when at Arlington last fall, came out
of her frustrating run well. With little pace, the late-running daughter of Invasor could not bite into the top three quickly enough, finishing two necks
shy of second and a length behind the winner in fourth.
“It is frustrating to be beaten a neck for a graded stakes
placing. But, she came out of the race OK. We will look at the Modesty, next,” Peitz
reported.
Hogy, trained by Scott Becker, ran the
most impressive race of the day when winning the one-mile, Grade 3 Hanshin Cup
and has emerged no worse for the wear, possibly better than
expected.
“He came out great and bounced back today, as well. He ate
up really well, too,” said John Pool, assistant to Becker. “I always thought if
he was trained properly, he could run with the best and put in that kind of
performance.”
Becker agreed with those sentiments.
“I just think the
horse has matured a little more,” he stated.
As far as the next steps after this
impressive win, “the ($100,000) Arlington Sprint is always on the radar, but
that’s not until July (6). In the meantime, we’ll look for something in June.”
Hogy’s blazing time of 1:34.25 earned him a 105 BRIS Speed
Figure. It was even more impressive considering he burst away from and finished
clear of a quality field after sitting only three lengths off fractions of
:45.73 and 1:09.99. The two horses who set that pace, Hammers Terror and Nates
Mineshaft, finished 7 1/4 lengths behind him and last, respectively.
A multiple stakes winner who has won impressively from 5 1/2
furlongs to a mile on all three surfaces, Hogy has proven both talented and
versatile.
“I think he can go a little bit farther, but not much more than a
mile and a sixteenth,” Becker remarked.
Mister Marti Gras ran a strong race
in defeat, finishing only 1 1/2 lengths shy of the victory under Eddie
Perez.
“The one-turn mile obviously isn’t his best game, but I was real proud of
him and how he dug in there,” trainer Chris Block said. “We’ll take a look at the Swoon’s Son (on June 8),
though that may be back a little quick — so maybe something at Churchill and
then the (Grade 3, $200,000) Arlington Handicap (on July 13).”
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