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ARLINGTON NOTEBOOK JUNE 16, 2010 by David Zenner When Arlington Park re-opened in the year 2000 after a two-year hiatus, one new event added to the schedule was the Prairie State Festival, featuring Illinois' best and brightest Thoroughbreds in six races, each with $100,000 in added money. They are the Black Tie Affair for older horses at 1 1/16 miles on turf; the Lincoln Heritage for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf; the White Oak for older horses at six furlongs; the Isaac Murphy for older fillies and mares at six furlongs; the Purple Violet for three-year-old fillies at one mile; and the Springfield for three-year-olds at one mile. The Prairie State Festival always plays a large role in determining the state's year-end champions. This year's Festival is slated for this Saturday and will be anchored by an all-stakes Late Pick Four encompassing races 7-10. The specific races that will comprise that Pick Four will be determined Wednesday at draw time but will likely include both turf races. In the nine years since its creation, some of the fine Prairie Staters that graced the Arlington winner's circle included Mystery Giver, Summer Mis, Ioya Two, Fort Prado, Wiggins and High Expectations (Peaks and Valleys) to name just a few. Over the years, several barns have distinguished themselves as must-play outfits on this special day. No trainer has won more Prairie State Festival races than Chris Block, who has sent out 15 winners from 45 starters in the six-race series. Of course, it is Block and his family that raced stalwart Fort Prado, who retired last year after compiling a record of five wins in six Festival starts. Another trainer that circles the Prairie State Festival date on her calendar is Christine Janks, who has sent out eight winners in Prairie State Festival competition, and as usual comes loaded for bear again this year. In recent editions of the Prairie State Festival, outfits based at downstate Fairmount Park have fared well including a win by the Rusty Hellman-trained River Bear (Unreal Zeal), who took last year's White Oak and scored again this spring on Illinois Champions Day at Hawthorne. The two three-year-old races, the Springfield Stakes and Purple Violet, have proven to be harbingers for future editions of the other races in this series with horses like Out of My Way, Fort Prado, High Expectations, Gentleman Chester (Chester House), Summer Mis, Magnetic Miss and Apple Martini (Giant's Causeway) going on to capture Festival races in subsequent seasons. Hot Humans The hottest hand of the week belonged to jockey James Graham, who bagged seven wins the last four racing days. Leaders Junior Alvarado and Mike Baze each had five, while E.T. Baird added three plus a big win at Churchill Downs in the Jefferson Cup (G3) on Stephen Foster Day. Horses to Watch Saturday (6/12) 2ND -- DAKOTA SONG (Songandaprayer) left from the far outside in the nine-horse field going 4 1/2 furlongs, which starts practically right on the turn. Battled an impressive track-record winner in Dawnie Macho (Macho Uno) and should graduate the maiden ranks next time out. 9TH -- PULLMANITE (Powerful Goer) got sawed off trying to make a move up the rail in midstretch. Made a slight rally once clear but the damage had been done. Finds winner's circle next time against similar with a better trip.
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