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ARLINGTON NOTEBOOK AUGUST 10, 2010 by David Zenner Arlington Million (G1) time is always the best time of year at Arlington Park, not only because of the Grade 1 turf races but because of the ancillary events surrounding the races. This year's Million week promises to be something special and any longtime racing fan will want to be at Arlington either in person or watching via their favorite simulcast outlet or online at TwinSpires.com while chatting with our experts in the Brisnet.com chat rooms. The biggest event -- other than the three Grade 1 races themselves -- will feature more than a dozen riders from the past as they come to Arlington Park to raise money for two worthy causes -- the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fun and the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America. The first event is "Dining With The Dynasty", which will provide ticket purchasers with a unique chance to dine and share stories with legendary jockeys including: Jerry Bailey, Bill Boland, Patti Cooksey, Jean Cruguet, Pat Day, Earlie Fires, Mark Guidry, Laffit Pincay Jr., Randy Romero, John Rotz, Gary Stevens, Ray Sibille, and Ron Turcotte. Ticketholders will spend an afternoon in Arlington's brand new Longshots Sports Bar with the legendary and Hall of Fame jockeys who will share stories, reminisce about racing experiences and will autograph your racing memorabilia. Later that afternoon, five retired jockey greats will return to the saddle for one race and square off against the five of the top riders in the Arlington Park standings in a "Young Guns" vs. "Cagey Veterans" turf race with pari-mutuel wagering. Slated to take a one-day break from retirement are Hall-of-Fame jockeys Earlie Fires and Gary Stevens; two-time Arlington Park champion Mark Guidry; Patti Cooksey, who won the Female Legends race earlier this year; and 1977 Triple Crown-winning jockey Jean Cruguet. In addition to regular win, place, show, exacta, trifecta and superfecta betting available on the race, Arlington Park will offer a wager pitting the "Young Guns" vs. "Cagey Veterans" in a Head-to-Head format based on a point structure. The top four male riders and the leading female rider in the Arlington Park standings at the conclusion of racing on Saturday will represent the current jockey colony. Riding assignments for the race will be pulled by lot when entries are drawn for the August 20 card on Sunday. The top four riders in the Arlington standings are currently Junior Alvarado, Michael Baze, James Graham and Jesus Castanon, and the leading female jockey at the current meet is Inez Karlsson. Having seen Earlie Fires recently at the track, I wouldn't under estimate his ability to return to the saddle with a winning ride. HORSES TO WATCH Sunday (8/8) 4TH -- WILD ABOUT BOYS (Najran) hopped at the start and then was in close quarters for the first furlong of the race, moved inside to make a steady rally late but fell a length short at the wire. 8TH -- ALBANY INDIAN (Cherokee Run) was fanned six-wide while making a move in the stretch.
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