Arlington Classic

It took a photo, but in the end, Oxbow Racing's KINGSHIP (King Cugat)

managed to pull off the victory in Saturday's $150,000

Arlington Classic S. (G3) by a nose over German invader Proudinsky (Ger) (Silvano

[Ger]). Sent to the early lead by jockey Robby Albarado, the three-year-old colt

kept the advantage through splits of :24 1/5, :48 4/5, 1:13 and 1:37 2/5.

Proudinsky trailed near last for a majority of the race before moving to the

rail in the stretch to post a strong rally. He got a nose in front before

and after the wire, but lost on the headbob as Kingship managed to stick his nose in

front when it counted to take the victory, completing 1 1/16 miles over

the good turf course in 1:43 2/5.

The Ronny Werner-trained winner left the gate at 5-1 to return $12, $6.20 and $5.40

while keying a $102 exacta. Proudinsky gave back $7.80 and $5.60 at 7-1.

Longshot Arbuckle Bandit (Service Stripe), who raced in second throughout, managed to hang on for

third another three parts of a length behind the top two, paying $11.40 for his

supporters at 43-1 and completing the $1,686.40 trifecta. Creative Force (Red

Ransom) finished the

$8,457.20 superfecta (1-8-2-4) at 27-1. Icy Ridge (Ire) (Orpen), even-money

favorite Storm Treasure (Storm Boot), Desert Wheat (Wheaton) and Equal

Opportunity (Rahy) rounded out the order of finish.

Bred in Kentucky by Silver Thread Farm, the bay three-year-old is the first

registered foal out of the Theatrical (Ire) mare Artistry, who has also produced

a two-year-old colt by Meadowlake named Pastoral and an unnamed yearling filly

by Menifee.

Kingship was purchased by his connections at the 2004 Keeneland September

Yearling Sale for $15,000. He broke his maiden in his last start by eight

lengths and now shows a record of 5-2-1-1 and $131,165 with his first black-type

victory.