ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Trainer Wayne Catalano has entrants in five races on an appealing nine-race card Friday at Arlington, and all of them appear to have at least a decent chance, including One Liz, who starts in the featured fourth race.
The feature, set for 4:37 p.m. Central, has multiple high-end allowance conditions, an $80,000 claiming option, and is carded for six furlongs on Polytrack.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Jim Gulick left Arlington in 2012 and didn’t train a string here again until 2017. He had some early-season success last year, but nothing like this May.
Gulick has run five horses at the meet, and all have won. His lone loss came with a maiden named Speared, who promptly returned to capture the first race Saturday at odds of 46-1. Later on that card, things got even better when Princess La Quinta won the Grade 3, $100,000 Arlington Matron, the first graded stakes score in Gulick’s long career.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – The best 3-year-old grass horse stabled at Arlington won’t be running in the first 3-year-old turf stakes this season at Arlington.
To put it another way, Captivating Moon isn’t starting Saturday in the Arlington Classic.
“I think we’re going to pass that and wait for the American Derby,” said Chris Block, who trains Captivating Moon for owner and breeder Bob Lothenbach. The American Derby will be run July 7.
Sweet home Louisiana.
Monte Man has fit right into the Pelican State program since relocating from New York, and on Saturday night he will be seeking to win his fifth straight race in Louisiana when he runs in the $75,000 Louisiana Legends Sprint at Evangeline Downs.
“He’s a Louisiana-bred . . . this is where he’s meant to be for sure,” said trainer Ron Faucheux.
The Sprint, which is for 3-year-olds and up at 5 1/2 furlongs, is one of seven statebred stakes on a card worth $600,000.
Fear the Cowboy has earned almost $1.2 million in his three starts this year – but he has yet to win a race. It’s a statistical oddity and one the multiple stakes winner will carry into Sunday’s running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap.
Ruidoso Downs has undergone extensive changes since its new ownership took over in October. Patrons returning for the 47-date meet that opens Friday will find upgrades to the grandstand and its casino, as well as updated wagering technology. There also are expanded racing integrity protocols in place, and a pair of bonuses tied to the meet’s top races for Quarter Horses, led by the $3 million All American Futurity.
The moves have been made by new owners John Andreini, Narciso Flores, Stan Sigman, and Johnny Trotter.
Jockey Marlon St. Julien, who injured his spine in a one-horse spill at the start of a race last Saturday night at Prairie Meadows, still was in an intensive-care unit as of Wednesday. St. Julien underwent surgery on Sunday to relieve pressure on his spinal cord.
Pinch Hit, Dreamcall, and Divine Dutchess are drawn in posts 1, 2, and 3 for the $50,000 Jack Bishop Stakes on Friday night at Prairie Meadows, and they appear to be the three principal players in this two-turn dirt stakes for fillies and mares.
ARCADIA, Calif. – City of Light, winner of three consecutive graded stakes since Christmas, will run as far as 1 1/4 miles for the first time in Saturday’s Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita.
Trainer Mike McCarthy considered City of Light for the Grade 1 Metropolitan Mile Handicap, a $1.2 million race June 9 at Belmont Park, but has opted for the $500,000 Gold Cup.
“He can walk right out of his own stall and into the paddock,” McCarthy said. “He’s had some good works, and I’m pleased with his attitude.”
