Arlington H. J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Defending champ JUST AS WELL (A.P. Indy) leads a solid field of 11 postward

in Saturday's $150,000 Arlington H. (G3). The Jonathan Sheppard charge is a

model of consistency and ran two huge races over this oval last campaign, so

we'll back the late runner in here with jockey Julien Leparoux. The late bloomer

was a one-paced fifth in the Manhattan H. (G1) last out but was likely too close

to the pace for his liking, and we expect him to sit back and make one run in

here. While we acknowledge that this a prep for a bigger one in a few weeks,

we still feel that he's good enough to beat these with something less than his

best.

RAHYSTRADA (Rahy) is in peak form and has come a long way since being offered

in a $50,000 claiming event in August. The Byron Hughes charge has won three of

five since, with thirds in the Dixie S. (G2) and Tampa Bay S. mixed in. We

will not discount his chances.

Canadian Grade 1 victor MARSH SIDE (Gone West) hasn't raced since March but

still looks like a serious player in here at a distance slightly below his best.

The Neil Drysdale trainee has a ton of back class and has been handled quite

well over the past two seasons, and we would not be surprised if he were to run

big off the shelf in here. Robby Albarado has the call.

Dual Grade 1 star GENERAL QUARTERS (Sky Mesa) has finished in the top three

in four straight graded runs and looms a danger in here for conditioner Tom

McCarthy. A winner of the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic S. (G1) over a strong field two back, the

four-year-old ran well to be third in the Stephen Foster H. (G1) last out and

looks like a player in here with his best. Rafael Bejarano has the assignment.

PRINCEVILLE CONDO (Morluc) loves the local turf (8-4-3-1) and was second by a

nose in the Black Tie Affair H. last out on the Arlington green. He could pick

up a small check. Group 3 winner TAJAAWEED (Dynaformer) has been working well

for this one and is another who could earn a small share.

GIANT OAK (Giant's Causeway) has a pair of local wins but doesn't look good

enough for the better ones in here. RUMOR HAS IT (Awesome Again) should provide

some pace but is in awful form. Louisville H. (G3) romper FREE FIGHTER (Out of

Place) likes this oval and loves a route of ground, but we question his class.

IMPONENTE PURSE (Brz) (Public Purse) looks overmatched. CROSS VILLAGE

(Langfuhr) looks in deep.