Europeans head home after Arlington raid

Europeans head home after Arlington raid

The European contingent at Arlington's International Festival of Racing

enjoyed another productive visit in 2013. Australian Thoroughbred

Bloodstock's England-based Dandino outclassed and overpowered five Americans and

one fellow European in the American St. Leger. James Wigan's

Dank, also based in England, razed a good field that included two other well

regarded Europeans and six Americans in the Beverly D. Stakes. 

11 of the 14 European horses

began the long journey home Sunday morning from Barn 28 on the Arlington

backstretch. They will take a KLM flight to Amsterdam and continue on to

their respective destinations abroad. 

There are three horses that did not leave Sunday morning. Team Valor's First

Cornerstone came over with a one-way ticket from Ireland.  He will now be

trained by Rick Mettee, the retained conditioner for Team Valor's American

horses. His Highness the Aga Khan's Visiyani will depart on Sunday night

at 9:00 p.m. for a departure in the early hours of Monday morning on an Air

France flight to Paris. Flaxman Holdings' Duntle will be the last to leave

the grounds of Arlington. The Group 1-placed filly will depart on Tuesday

around 7:00 p.m. for an overnight Cargolux flight to Prestwick, Scotland, and

then proceed across the Irish Sea to her native Ireland. 

Shadwell Stable's locally based

homebred duo of Ausus and Najjaar exited their respective third-place finishes

in good order, according to conditioner Danny Peitz. "I think they both

look good this morning. I am not sure where we're going next. People

have asked about the Breeders' Cup, but I honestly haven't looked past this race."

Ausus, an overlooked 21-1 in the betting, ran a late-closing third after a

troubled trip that saw her drop out to the rear of the field in the Beverly D. Stakes. Racing farther

back than her usual style, she rallied boldly under jockey James Graham to pass

all but the Europeans Dank and Gifted Girl. The race was her first Grade 1

placing and greatly pleased her connections.

Equally as gratifying for those

involved was the performance of Najjaar in the American St. Leger. Taking the lead briefly around the eighth-pole, the son of Belmont Stakes winner Jazil fought hard to finish third under Graham behind heavily favored European

import Dandino and the hard-charging Suntracer at odds of 5-1. In the end,

the bay colt finished just over a length from the win in what was only his

second try at a marathon distance.

Trainer Chris Block reported that he

was pleased with the three performances in the Saturday stakes of their homebreds Suntracer, Ioya Bigtime and I O Ireland.

In the American St. Leger, Suntracer ran a strong second to favored

Dandino. "It looks like he came out in good shape," Block reported. "It was a very

gutty performance.  At this point, it looks like we'll aim toward the

(Grade 3) Kentucky Turf Cup (on Sept. 14)." 

Also in the St. Leger for Team Block was Ioya Bigtime, who was entangled in a

pace duel before finishing sixth. "He came out in good shape," Block explained.

"Early

on in the race it looked like it was going how we wanted it go. Then (Ojos

de Hielo) in the lead slowed down and my horse just galloped up. It wasn't

the best scenario, but it is what it is. He ran a gutty

game race, but maybe the distance is a little too far. He is not running

like he was last year, but he's still trying. We might look at dropping

down in distance, but I don't know where yet."

While the venerable Ioya Bigtime looks to be within the twilight of an awesome

career, his younger half-sister is just showing true promise in hers. I O

Ireland, a daughter of Giant's Causeway, showed great tenacity when taking the

second division of the Hatoof Stakes.

"I knew she was coming in in good order," Block said. "She had a good

tune up last time and I was expecting her to run well. The pace was hot and

(jockey Eddie Castro) got her in gear at the right time. Luckily, she held off

(runner-up Every Way). It was a solid effort and we'll go to

the (Grade 3) Pucker Up (on September 14) with her."

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