ARLINGTON PARK NOTEBOOK
AUGUST 14, 2009
by Frank Cotolo
The best exclusive piece of information we have gathered over the past week
concerns a trend we have been watching since we began this notebook: Churchill
Downs shippers.
This past week has supported the angle, as their Polytrack debuts continue to
produce lively contenders. In our last notebook, shippers had a 20 percent win
rate and a 40 percent in-the-money figure. In the 46 races run from August 5
through August 9, the figure rises to 24 percent winners. Though it drops to 38
percent in the money, it is the win percentage that continues to produce the
gimmick payoffs.
The horses coming to Arlington from Hawthorne after a long layoff, failed to
produce a winner last week with only four racing. This angle may have already
produced all the profit it can as the layoffs grow longer with every week.
It was a good five days for the public. On the Polytrack and on the green,
favorites did well. There were 22 in all, a 48 percent tally. Only Wednesday
resulted in less than five choices winning, with 50 percent of the 12 races on
Saturday going to public choices.
International Festival of Racing
The centerpiece of the Arlington meet, Saturday’s International of Racing,
delivered some great action. GIO PONTI (Tale of the Cat) firmly established
himself as the leader of the American turf division with his authoritative 1
1/4-length score in the Arlington Million (G1), winning his fourth straight
Grade 1 event for Christophe Clement.
DYNAFORCE (Dynaformer), winner of the 2008 Flower Bowl Invitational (G1) over
yielding ground, confirmed her affinity for turf with some cut to it when
recording a 7-1 upset in the Beverly D. S. (G1). The turf course had been rated
as “yielding” earlier in the afternoon, and the Bill Mott-trained mare was able
to make amends for a couple of disappointing performances in her first two
starts this year, including a third in the Modesty H. (G3) at Arlington over a
“firm” course.
In the Secretariat S. (G1), TAKE THE POINTS (Even the Score) stamped himself
as an up-and-coming turf star with a head decision over the well-regarded Black
Bear Island (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells). The Todd Pletcher runner registered his
first stakes victory.
For more details on the International Festival of Racing events, check out
the “Graded Recaps” on the sidebar of the Handicapper’s Edge home page.
Trainer stats
Thirty four trainers celebrated wins over the 46-race week, with Wayne
Catalano having another sterling run with his stock, collecting five victors,
the most of the week. Catalano remains atop the trainer standings by earnings,
as recently productive Moises Yanez gets into the second spot.
Chris Block had a trio of winners and six others doubled. But
percentage-wise, keep your eyes on Nick Canani, who now posts a percentage of 42
percent and an in-the-money figure of 58 percent.
Larry Rivelli has only sent out 59 starts for the meet, which is good for a
shining 36 percent winners. But, he holds a remarkable in-the-money figure of 78
percent. Rivelli students are prime meat for exotics at that rate.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (8/5)
2ND — SAM OWEN (Put It Back) was sharp going along the rail, got to the top
and didn’t quit; he was simply out-run late at 4-1.
5TH — GAMBLER’S REWARD (Smart Strike) had trouble getting out of the gate
but was settled well enough to make a go of it, angling five wide before tiring.
Thursday (8/6)
3RD — MIDNIGHT ILLUSION (David Copperfield) dueled for the top as a 7-1 shot
with the odds-on favorite, exchanging leads and holding strongly for the place.
6TH — WORKHARD PLAYHARD (Eurosilver) was flashing the kind of speed that we
like in a debut and was not ignored in the wagering at 5-1.
Friday (8/7)
5TH — TIGER’S SONG (Roar of the Tiger) was bumped badly at the start and
recovered well enough to be rushed into contention.
8TH — KING OF SPEED (Senor Speedy) is a Churchill invader that likes the
Polytrack from the looks of this performance, running out of real estate after
getting the lead late and being passed.
Saturday (8/8)
2ND — GALLOPING GULCH (Gulch) was slowly stalking on the rail before opening
up a six-wide charge to get third at 8-1.
12TH — ELEGANTE (Najran) was in from Texas and was sharp on the turf early
from post 10, just tiring late.
Sunday (8/9)
4TH — SUPERIOR ATTITUDE (Tapit) had great speed at 11-1, and the
two-year-old filly could break her maiden next out based on this race.
8TH — CHECK MY DADDY (Lord Carson) had bad gate trouble and tried
desperately to get back into the action, tiring from the effort.