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Fields shaping up for American Derby, Stars & Stripes WinStar Farm's General Election, winner of the Arlington Classic -- the first leg of Arlington International Racecourse's Mid-America Triple -- on May 25, is slated to return to Chicago to pursue the second Grade 3 leg of the series in the American Derby on July 13. Based in Kentucky with conditioner Kellyn Gorder, the son of Harlan's Holiday has been aimed toward the 1 3/16-mile turf event since his local victory at 13-1 odds. The Keeneland-based trainee has been working steadily toward this for his connections who are confident he will enjoy the additional furlong. Two of the beaten favorites in the Arlington Classic, Procurement and Admiral Kitten, are probable to return for the American Derby to attempt to avenge their respective defeats. Glen Hill Farm's Procurement suffered a wide trip in the Arlington Classic, but made a strong bid to finish fifth in the 12-horse field beaten only 1 1/2 lengths for trainer Tom Proctor. The son of Milwaukee Brew has been training locally since. Previous to the Arlington Classic, Procurement won the La Puente Stakes at Santa Anita at nine furlongs and could appreciate the additional real estate in the American Derby. Arlington Classic beaten favorite Admiral Kitten is probable to return after finishing a closing second at odds of just under 9-5 for leading national owners Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker. The stretch-running son of Kitten's Joy similarly ran out of ground in the American Turf Stakes on Kentucky Derby Day three weeks prior to the Arlington Classic and in an allowance at Keeneland three weeks prior to that. All of those races were at 1 1/16 miles. In the American Derby, Admiral Kitten will come into the race from a seven-week freshening and should appreciate the additional furlong. A couple of intriguing possibles for the American Derby include Five Iron and Chamois. The former, a recent stakes winner at Woodbine in the Victoria Park Stakes over nine Polytrack furlongs on June 16, is owned by Fred M. Allor and looks to be on the improve. Trained by Robert Martin, the son of Sharp Humor earned a 103 Equibase Speed Figure in that wire-to-wire victory, which came after a third to Queen's Plate morning-line favorite Up With the Birds in the Marine Stakes May 26. The ever-dangerous Christophe Clement stable has late-nominated the lightly raced Chamois for owners Jon and Sarah Kelly. In just four starts, the son of Smart Strike has won a maiden, an allowance (both at Aqueduct Racetrack) and was a closing third in the Hill Prince Stakes on June 15 at Belmont Park. The homebred has yet to take a step backward in his speed figures and should appreciate more ground, especially considering his damsire is Lomitas -- sire of 2011 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Danedream. Also on next Saturday's Million Preview Day, Team Block's Ioya Bigtime has to prove he has not lost a step in his title defense in the Grade 3 Stars and Stripes. Still, the talented son of Dynaformer could be difficult to conquer on his home turf after a seven-week freshening for trainer Chris Block. Even with his local following, Ioya Bigtime most likely will not claim betting favoritism. That role will probably go to the streaking Dark Cove, a muscular son of Medaglia d'Oro trained by Maker for the Ramseys who beat Ioya Bigtime in their last two meetings. Last out, Dark Cove impressively outpaced Atigun and Najjaar in Churchill Downs' Louisville Handicap to win by a half-length. Previous to that, the six-year-old horse won the Elkhorn by a widening 4 1/4 lengths at Keeneland. Both of those races were at the same 12-furlong distance as the Stars and Stripes. Midwest Thoroughbreds' The Pizza Man is currently probable for the race in what will be his first attempt at a marathon distance. Bred to enjoy the stretch-out, the son of Breeders' Cup Turf winner English Channel is coming off a late-closing second to Coalport in the 1 1/16-mile restricted Black Tie Affair Handicap over the local turf. Tom Amoss conditions the reigning champion Illinois-bred three-year-old. Another coming out of the Black Tie Affair is Team Block's Suntracer, who finished third in last year's Stars and Stripes behind his stablemate. Under Block's tutelage, the son of Kitten's Joy has been aimed at this race since the spring. In the Black Tie Affair, Suntracer made a strong bid in midstretch to finish fourth, beaten 5 1/2 lengths. The most intriguing possible for the Stars and Stripes is multiple South American Group 1 winner Quick Casablanca, from the barn of Christophe Clement. In two stateside starts, the son of Until Sundown has finished second in the Good Reward Stakes on turf and unplaced in the Brooklyn Handicap on dirt, both at Belmont Park. Owned by Pablo Gomez, Quick Casablanca won the Chilean Derby in 2012 at 12 furlongs on the grass. Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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