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ARLINGTON NOTEBOOK JULY 14, 2010 by David Zenner The heart of the summer season is upon us and at Arlington Park that can mean only one thing: the focus shifts to Arlington's world famous turf course for two major event days that every racing fan will want to make on his or her calendar. This Saturday, Arlington Park will present its annual Million Preview Day card that will showcase local and national hopefuls as they prep for the Arlington Million (G1) and International Festival of Racing just five weeks later. Arlington will present an expanded card each day and each day will start at a special early post time of 12:15 p.m. (CDT). In addition to all three stakes offering six-figure purses as well as graded stakes black type to its winners, the $150,000 Arlington H. (G3), $150,000 Modesty H. (G3) and $200,000 American Derby (G2) offer its top three finishers something more. The entry and starting fees for the Arlington Million will be waved for any horse that finishes first, second or third in the Arlington H. Similarly, entry and starting fees for the Beverly D. (G1) will be waved for any horse that finishes first, second or third in the Modesty while the entry and starting fees for the Secretariat (G1) will be waived for any horse that finishes first, second or third in the American Derby. The 2009 edition of Million Preview Day had a large impact on the results of the 2009 International Festival of Racing. Arlington H. hero Just as Well (A.P. Indy) finished second to eventual multiple Eclipse-Award winner Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat) in Million XXVII and appears to be headed back to Arlington for repeat bid in the local handicap. Dynaforce (Dynaformer), who ran third in last year's Modesty 'Cap, improved upon that effort and captured the Beverly D. just a month later while Modesty victress Pure Clan (Pure Prize) ended up third in the Beverly D. In 2008, Modesty winner Communique reported home second in the Beverly D. while 2008 American Derby champ Tizdejavu (Tiznow) ran third in that season's Secretariat. All eyes will be on Arlington for Million Preview Day on July 17 and astute handicappers will want to pay attention to what happens this Saturday as it will likely be a factor next month. As this is written, all three races are shaping up to have outstanding renewals. Just as Well will try to defend his championship in the 10-furlong Arlington H. and among those slated to oppose home is General Quarters (Sky Mesa), winner of the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs and third in the Stephen Foster H. (G1) most recently. Last year, General Quarters won the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland. Also considered probable is Free Fighter (Out of Place), winner of Churchill's Louisville H. (G3) at 12 furlongs on the grass on May 22; Marsh Side (Gone West), winner of the 2009 Northern Dancer (Can-G1) and 2008 Canadian International (Can-G1); Princeville Condo (Morluc), who exits a nose second in the Black Tie Affair H. on the June 19 Prairie State Festival Day program; Rahystrada (Rahy), third in Dixie S. (G2) on Preakness Day; Rumor Has It (Awesome Again), winner of Arlington's Polar Expedition S. and Rossi Gold S. in 2009; and Tajaaweed (Dynaformer) winner of the 2008 Dee S. (Eng-G3) and an allowance scorer at Arlington two starts back in his U.S. debut. Tuscan Evening (Ire) (Oasis Dream [GB]), who stretched her win streak to five with a victory in the May 29 Gamely S. (G1) at Hollywood Park, is the headliner for the Modesty. Undefeated this year, the Irish-bred mare won four straight earlier this year at Santa Anita, beginning in the January 3 Monrovia H. (G3). She followed with triumphs in the February 15 Buena Vista H. (G2), March 21 Santa Ana H. (G2) and April 17 Santa Barbara H. (G2). Tuscan Evening's expected rivals include 2009 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. (G1) heroine Hot Cha Cha, who exits a victory in the Mint Julep H. (G3); European champion Rainbow View (Dynaformer), winner of Gallorette H. (G3) two back and third in the Nassau S. (Can-G2) last out; Askbut I Won'ttell (Horse Chestnut [SAf]), winner of the Illinois Owners S. at Arlington on May 15; and Richard Duchossois' Éclair de Lune (Ger) (Marchand de Sable), who exits a fourth behind Tuscan Evening in her second North American start. Workin for Hops (City Zip), who secured the first leg of Arlington's Mid-America Triple with a victory in the Arlington Classic on May 22, is expected to continue his quest to become the first sophomore since 1997 to sweep the Triple by winning the American Derby. The local Triple concludes with the Secretariat. Also slated to contest the American Derby is American Turf (G2) runner-up Asphalt (War Chant), who exits a third in the June 12 Jefferson Cup (G3); Bogie (Ire) (Pivotal), second in the June 20 Will Rogers (G3) at Hollywood; Lane's End (G2) winner Dean's Kitten (Kitten's Joy), who will look to bounce back from a fifth in the Colonial Turf Cup (G2); Formulaforsuccess (Broken Vow), who exits a two-length allowance victory at Churchill; Jefferson Cup victor Gleam of Hope (City Zip), who was last seen finishing third in the Arlington Classic; Grade 3 runner-up Marcello (Johannesburg); Mint Chip (Johar), who exits a fourth in the Marine S. at Woodbine; and Mister Marti Gras (Belong to Me), an encouraging winner of the lucrative Oliver S. at Indiana Downs on June 30. HORSES TO WATCH Sunday (7/11) 4TH -- TURTLE (Yonaguska) was bumped at the start and then blocked in stretch waiting for a seam to run through. Altered course and bumped again in the late stages. 5TH -- MIN D'ORO (Medaglia d'Oro) took the worst of it in a roughly run race when checked hard on the turn.
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