ARLINGTON NOTEBOOK
JUNE 30, 2010
by David Zenner
Road to Breeders’ Cup World Championships start at Arlington Park
The North American road to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships officially
got underway last Saturday at Arlington Park when Carl Moore Management’s
CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE (War Chant) posted a 4 1/2-length win in the $118,000
Arlington Sprint S. Jamie Theriot was aboard the Bret Calhoun-trained gelding,
who covered the 5 1/2 furlongs over “yielding” turf in 1:03.66.
Sitting just off an opening quarter of :22.24 set by Bullet from Abroad (Red
Bullet), Chamberlain Bridge tipped three wide entering the stretch and took the
lead midstretch before drawing off for the decisive victory.
“He broke sharply and put me in good stalking position,” Theriot said. “It
was just a matter of time. The last couple of times he’s run, he’s stayed right
off the pace and hasn’t shown all the speed he has in the past. It doesn’t
matter as long as he’s somewhere in the race, he’s pretty much okay with it.”
The Arlington Sprint represented the six-year-old’s 13th win in 27 trips to
the post. He added $75,000 to his bankroll, which now stands at $781,445, but
more importantly, he earned an automatic starting berth in the Breeders’ Cup
Turf Sprint (G2), which will be run at five furlongs over the Matt Winn Turf
Course at Churchill Downs this November.
“We got him into these five- (and 5 1/2)-furlong turf races and he really
enjoys it,” Calhoun assistant “Peaches” Geier said. “I hope he can keep it
going. We’ve got two more races and then the Breeders’ Cup.”
The following morning, Calhoun elaborated on Chamberlain Bridge’s road to
Louisville.
“Right now the plan is to run him in a race at Penn National July 31
($200,000 Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup H. at five furlongs on the grass), and
then take him to Philadelphia Park for a turf race they have up there September
6 ($250,000 Turf Monster at five furlongs),” he explained. “After that, there’s
a turf sprint scheduled at Keeneland for early October and then hopefully that
will take us into the Breeders’ Cup race in November at Churchill.”
Races with Breeders’ Cup implications continue at Arlington as soon as this
Sunday when defending Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) heroine Informed
Decision (Monarchos) is expected to defend her title in the Chicago H. (G3).
Racing secretary Chris Polzin assigned her 124 pounds for the seven-furlong
affair that will headline the July 4 holiday program.
Three more Breeders’ Cup Challenge races remain on the Arlington docket —
the Arlington Million (G1), which will award its winner a berth in the $3
million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1); the Beverly D. S. (G1), whose winner will get a
spot in the $2 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1); and the Washington Park H.
(G3), which will award its victor a spot in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic
(G1).
HORSES TO WATCH
Saturday (6/26)
7TH — SOUL COAXING (Sunday Break [Jpn]) hopped at the start and then
exchanged bumps with a rival. Steadied on the turn and once clear he did close
for a minor award.
Sunday (6/27)
9TH — HARDWICKE HALL (Greatness), a first-time starter, found herself
battling for the lead through a quick opening quarter, had her saddle slip and
yet was still able to put away her rival before being overtaken late by the
winner. Graduates with a clean trip next out.