TVG -- The Interactive Horseracing Network



		ISSUE 36 >> AUGUST 2004

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Arlington Park's International Festival of Racing Set for Saturday

By M. Scott McMannis

OVERVIEW

Arlington Park presents its keystone day of racing this Saturday, highlighted by the Arlington Million, the Beverly D. and the Secretariat, all Grade I turf races. Nine additional races round out the 12-race card, which includes the Festival Pick Three on the trio of Grade 1 turf stakes. First post is set for 11:45 a.m. central and you can catch all the action on TVG's Trackside Live. The following analysis is in post-time order (post times subject to change). Trainer/jockey names (if known) follow the horses' names.

THE BEVERLY D. – POST TIME: 3:37 PM, CST

KEY FACTS: 15th running, $750,000 purse, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds-and-up, 1-3/16 miles; field of 12 expected.

Commercante (Frankel/Bailey) is a top contender from the North American-based contingent. Some may say her impressive win in her last race was “only” in allowance company, and that was over two months ago, but she does have graded placings in her past including a win (Prix de Psyche-G3) following a two-month layoff.

Also worth consideration among the North Americans are Musical Chimes (Drysdale/Desormeaux) and Bedanken (Von Hemel/Pettinger). Musical Chimes has improved with each race this year, winning the John C. Maybee (G1) in her most recent start, and should be at a form peak. Bedanken won Arlington's Modesty (G3), the local prep for the Beverly D.

Aubonne (Libaud/TBA) appears best of the foreign contingent. She has shown improving ratings through her three-year-old year to the present, culminating in a win in her last start, the La Coupe (G3) in France.

Some attention will be given to Crimson Palace (bin Suroor/Dettori) if for no other reason than her high-profile connections, Godolphin Racing, Inc. Her last race doesn't recommend her, but she did win the Middleton Stakes (G3) in her penultimate start.

THE ARLINGTON MILLION – POST TIME: 4:35 PM, CST

KEY FACTS: 22nd running, $1,000,000 purse, 3-year-olds-and-up, 1-1/4 miles, fourth leg in the World Series Racing Championship; field of 13 expected.

The Arlington Million presents the biggest challenge for handicappers, due not only to the size of the field, but also the quality of competition.

Kicken Kris (Matz/Prado) is one of several solid North American contenders. After two sub-par performances (mysteries, according to trainer Michael Matz), he bounced back to win the Bowling Green (G2) in his most recent start and appears to be at a form peak for the Million.

Mr O'Brien (Graham/Day) has top contender status from his last two races, a second in the United Nations (G1) and a third in the Manhattan (G1). Those placings came despite some traffic, according to trainer Robin Graham.

Not to be dismissed is Sweet Return (McAnally/Bailey), who most recently finished third in the Eddie Read (G1) after being boxed briefly. Trainer Ron McAnally has three Million wins to his credit, two with inaugural Million (1981) winner John Henry.

Local fans will give extra consideration to Senor Swinger (Baffert/Blanc), remembering that he had trouble at the start - and again in the stretch - yet won the Arlington Handicap (G3), the local prep for the Million.

Epalo (Schutz/Starke) is a leading foreign entrant. His last race (second by a nose in a German Listed race) was deemed a useful prep for the Million by trainer Andreas Schutz. Last year Epalo notched three seconds and a win from four starts in graded races.

Also deserving of consideration is Powercourt (O'Brien/Spencer). In his last start, he finished second in the Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (G1) and earlier this year won the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1).

THE SECRETARIAT – POST TIME: 5:53 PM, CST

KEY FACTS: 28th running, $400,000 purse, 3-year-olds, 1-1/4 miles; field of six expected.

Kitten's Joy (Romans/Bailey) heads up the North American contingent, boasting five wins and a place from his last six starts, all Grade 3 races. He has registered improving figures in recent starts and is coming up to the Secretariat in peak form.

A question mark is Greek Sun (Frankel/TBA). While he hasn't run as fast as Kitten's Joy, he has won all three lifetime starts, the last the Cinema Breeders' Cup (G3). His figures have improved as needed and there may be more racehorse back there.

Simple Exchange (Weld/Smullen) gets the nod for the foreign entrants by virtue of his win in Arlington's American Derby (G2), the prep for the Secretariat.

Hazyview (Callaghan/Dettori) also deserves consideration for his third in his last race, the Prix Eugene Adam (G2) in France.

FESTIVAL THREE WAGERING STRATEGIES

With a pick three offered on the above three races, consider a partial wheel using the following horses:

Beverly D.: Commercante, Musical Chimes, Aubonne.
Million: Kicken Kris, Mr O'Brien, Sweet Return, Epalo, Powercourt.
Secretariat: Kitten's Joy, Hazyview.

That's 30 combinations (3x5x2) or $30 per $1 ticket. A $100 bankroll suggests a $3 Festival Three ticket (total = $90). Use the remaining $10 for a straight Bailey-Bailey-Bailey Festival Three if he remains on the horses as named earlier; you may be part of history.

For updated information go to www.arlingtonpark.com.

M. Scott McMannis is Director of Fan Education for Hawthorne Race Course, handicapper for the Chicago Sun Times, and Midwest Correspondent for HorsePlayer Magazine. He also produces publications with extensive data for advanced handicappers. Contact him at mcmannis@horseplayerdaily.com.

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