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ARLINGTON NOTEBOOK JUNE 9, 2010 by David Zenner Arlington's Polytrack played mostly fair during the week of June 3-6 with perhaps a slight edge toward outside horses on the middle two days of the racing week. Wins were fairly evenly distributed amongst all types of runner with again perhaps a slight tilt away from committed front runners, though it was not impossible to go wire-to-wire last week. For the season, with nearly 200 races over the surface, things appear to be evening out with all types of runners getting their share of winners and inside/outside getting closer to the 50/50 level. Sunday's rain forced three races off the turf (after one had been contested early in the card in a driving rainstorm that hit as the horses were loading into the gate) but there were 10 races run on the green last week. For the first time this meet, the rail had been moved to Lane 1 (which is actually 10 feet out from the absolute inside, races run at "ground zero" are actually about distances and a few feet short of the advertised distance). It was basically a 60/40 spilt in favor of horses closer to the front and a 60/40 split outside to inside. With the rail far inside, the horses are generally quite bunched turning for home and often those inside lack the room needed to get home in front. Jockey shorts and Trainer tidbits Michael Baze and James Graham had solid weeks with five winners each, both popping at a nearly 25 percent clip. Inez Karlsson also was near 25 percent in victories last week. Farther down in the standings but enjoying good a week were Julio Felix and Florent Geroux. Besides Wayne Catalano, who always has a good week, trainers that impressed last week included Christine Janks (3 for 7 wins and 6 for 7 in the money) and Tom Dorris (3 for 6 in wins and 4 for 6 on the board). Chat with Us Beginning Thursday, June 10, Arlington Park will offer for the first time an opportunity to chat live one-on-one with the Brisnet.com staff of expert handicappers as well as Arlington Park track announcer John G. Dooley, handicapper Jessica Pacheco and other on-site experts. Fans will be able to pick up valuable information on what is happening in real-time at the track, and pose any questions you may have to the handicappers. In addition, on-site experts will "tweet" paddock and post parade comments as well as last-minute suggested plays. The Brisnet.com Live Chat for Arlington Park begins Thursday and will continue every racing day (Thursday-Sunday) through June 27. Fans can enter the Brisnet.com chats from brisnet.com as well as from arlingtonpark.com and participate with the experts in real-time from about a half an hour prior to first post until the last race is made official. HORSES TO WATCH Sunday (6/6) 5TH -- PROTECTION GAME (Harlan's Holiday) was caught behind the badly tiring Sir Woodington (Woodman) on the far turn and into the stretch, with plenty of run and nowhere to put it. Look for better from him next time out.
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