Arlington Park Notebook

ARLINGTON NOTEBOOK

AUGUST 29, 2008

by Steve Collison

Martin Racing Stable's MR NIGHTLINGER (Indian Charlie) survived a rough trip

and subsequent claim of foul to prevail in the $200,000 Arlington Sprint H. on

Saturday,

getting the 5 1/2 furlongs over "firm" turf in course record time of 1:01.89.

With Jamie Theriot in the irons, the Bret Calhoun charge broke swiftly from the

gate and was hustled to the rail while posting fractions of :21.80, :44.20

and :55.70 en route to the two-length victory, shaving .29

seconds off the previous standard for the distance.

"I'm just a passenger on him and I think it would take a real good horse to

beat him right now," Theriot said. "I think he's the best of the best right now

sprinting."

The Arlington Sprint, previously a main track fixture, was moved to the turf for

the first time this year and was selected as a Breeders' Cup Challenge race. The

"Win and You're In" provision of that series guarantees the horse a berth in the

newly created Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, subject to all conditions.

Track Surface

Last week those on the front end were able to win at only a modest

20 percent. This week that number climbed dramatically as wire-to-wire winners

accounted for a much improved 33 percent total. On both Wednesday and Thursday, three of the six events over the main surface were won by the speed. Of special

note is that on every day the opening race was won by front runners as the track

superintendent is obviously rolling the surface tight prior to the opening bell.

Jockey Notes

With Rene Douglas the runaway leader in the jockey's race, it seems that week

after week the only true excitement left is in the battle for the top

apprentice. Brandon Meier, the son of one of Chicago's all-time leading jockeys

Randy Meier, remains the apprentice leader entering Saturday's races, but

Swedish-born Inez Karlsson, a former boxer in her native land, remains within

striking distance, only seven wins behind the local favorite. While Meier

started out well ahead, Karlsson has been picking up steam over the past couple

of weeks. Their developing battle was emphasized Friday when the two young

riders were the only jockeys on the program to celebrate multiple-win days.

Meier won the first race of his career this season on May 11 at Arlington

aboard Frank Calabrese's HOUSEBOAT (Pioneering). Since then, Meier has enjoyed

success doing a significant portion of the riding for that dominant stable and

would appear to have the edge in the battle for leading apprentice honors.

However, Karlsson is not to be taken lightly. On July 10, she became the first

female jockey in Arlington Park history to win four races on a single program,

lighting up the tote board with win payoffs of $62.60, $13, $31 and $8.20.

Amazingly, she did it again on August 15, which made her Arlington's leading rider

for the month of August and thereby put her in sight of Meier.

Jockeys

Rene Douglas: 94

Jesse Campbell 65

James Graham: 54

Chris Emigh: 54

Brandon Meier 50

Inez Karlsson: 41

Trainers

Wayne Catalano: 52

Chris Block: 27

Frank Kirby: 25

Moises Yanez: 25

Trainer Profile

With 13 wins, trainer HUGH ROBERTSON isn't within sight of the leaders which

often is a good thing as you can find live runners of his who fly under the

public radar. Which is saying something when you consider the success this

veteran conditioner has enjoyed throughout the years while establishing solid

and reliable betting opportunities. For instance, Robertson wins at an awesome

44 percent when dropping runners sharply in class yet these same runners show a

positive rate-of-return. That means this stable can readily drop a horse from

$25,000 to $10,000 to win at a price and do so consistently. This stable also

has always been adept with their first time starters and they're most dangerous

when moving out of the mainstream. For instance, earlier in this Arlington meet APPROVEDBYTHEMINT (With Approval) won his debut at odds of 12-1 despite going

two-turns over the lawn. So don't be too quick to throw out a Robertson first

timer because there's often much more then meets the eye. Furthermore, even

though they haven't been very active of late at the claim box, this stable does

well first off the claim hitting nearly 25-percent. And, keeping in line with

their penchant for doing well on the plunge, they become even more dangerous

when they drop that runner below the original price they paid.

RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH

Wednesday (8/20)

6TH -- HANNA FOM SAVANAH (Evansville Slew) was claimed for

$35,000, and there's reason to take note anytime that happens. That's especially true when the one doing

the claiming is Tom Amoss and he's taking it from a slumping stable.

Thursday (8/21)

4TH -- HURTA (Silver Deputy), if you can believe it, was making his first career start which in itself spells serious trouble. Beyond

that, despite costing his connections $350,000 and oodles of time, the

five-year-old gelding was entered

for just $10,000 whereupon he managed to run second. Don't know why trainer Tom Tomillo would claim this one but with all the negative signs pointing to him,

but I

suspect that Tomillo feels he can get back his money or he wouldn't have taken

the obvious risk.

Saturday (8/23)

6TH -- GOODSON (Catcus Ridge) was taken by Amoss, who has been quiet at the claim box

throughout this Arlington meet but seems to have reached in at just the right

time today. This three-year-old was taken from veteran conditioner Don Von Hemel, whose horses Amoss has done very well with throughout the years. In this case

the horse in question is just now beginning to hit his best stride after being

away.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (8/20)

3RD -- KARCHIE (Unreal Zeal) is trained by Tom Dorris, who seldom wins

with first time starters, so it came as no surprise that this horse didn't win in

his debut. However, after breaking slowly, he didn't quit and instead showed

excellent run while racing extremely wide. He finished with a powerful late run

before galloping out with energy and looms large if gets added ground next out.

4TH -- PRETTY PERSUASION (Cape Town), who after breaking from an outside post, was forced to race extremely wide around both turns. Despite the obvious

handicap, she still just missed against the favorite and is clearly a runner on

the upswing.

Thursday (8/21)

2ND -- SHEZADOUBLEAGENT (Traitor) was making her second start following

an extended 10-month leave of absence and managed to gain the show at this

$10,000 level. Considering that the top pair of finishers were in form runners

dropping down from $25,000 the effort is much better then appears and would give

her extra credit for today's performance.

5TH -- TOQUINHO (Our Emblem) was sent out by Bill Mott, whose first-time starters typically

don't run that well this two-year-old colt turned in a solid effort while making

his debut today. Mott's runners tend to move forward considerably with

experience which makes this guy one to watch next time around.

Friday (8/22)

3RD -- JESS Z (Proud Citizen), a two-year-old colt, made his debut today but never had

the opportunity to truly strut his stuff after getting hung up along the inside.

Never had room to find his stride yet still found the show spot for trainer Hugh

Robertson, who does even better going the second time around.

Saturday (8/23)

3RD -- KAYLA DO (Silver Charm) won today in unbelievably impressive

fashion due to the fact that she overcame immense difficulty as she clearly

wasn't going to be denied. Many three-year-olds begin maturing at this time of

year and that's what appears to be happening with this filly who will be hard to

deny next out even if that should be against lower end stakes company.

Sunday (8/24)

2ND -- MORE THAN ABLE (More Than Ready), a three-year-old gelding, has been hitting

the board while going against tough opponents. Today, he gained the place after

being compromised by the eventual winner who was able to prevail due to an

uncontested easy lead. This horse won't pay much when he does win, but that score

is right around the corner.

3RD -- SUM SPLENDOR (High Yield) has turned in a pair of solid efforts

since being claimed by trainer Roy Houghton. Today, he ran deceptively well despite

being hammered over and over prior to getting outright stopped in his tracks

just before hitting his best stride. Can get home first with a clean trip down

the road.

4TH -- LEMONADE KID (Lemon Drop Kid) has matured measurably since we last saw him in November.

Came off the shelf following that 10-month hiatus and turned in a much improved

performance. We can only assume that the new version of this colt will be

breaking through in a big way next time out. Also must note that he looked great

after galloping out in powerful fashion.

BEWARE OF THESE

Wednesday (8/20)

1ST -- VICTORY FROLIC (Victory Gallop), a well bred three-year-old filly, was dropped sharply in class today and looked the part of a horse with problems.

Washed out during the post parade and gave every indication that something was

wrong. Managed to run third against a field she should have beaten backwards and

is one step away from calling it a career.

Friday (8/22)

1ST -- DORA'S ROSE (Salt Lake) had shown

some run against maiden special weight company, but trainer Michele Boyce saw fit to

drop her down sharply to $10,000 here. She managed to win today at this level but was all

out to do so, and the filly will be hard pressed to win next out now that she's forced to

run against open company.

2ND -- SMACK DADDY (Colony Light) was claimed by trainer Justin Johns for

himself, but he did so at great risk. This horse had just won for $10 grand for

trainer Larry Rivelli, who then promptly dropped him down in class to $5,000, which by the way is well below where Rivelli originally claimed him. Won today

in style for a nickel, but must be wary of how he comes back as is clearly living

on borrowed time.

Sunday (8/24)

5TH -- SEEYALATERTATER (Doug Fir), a four-year-old filly, has been a money eater

throughout her career and once again today failed as the chalk. Next out will

once again receive lion's share of the tote support but in all probability will

once again disappoint as her one win from 16-starts record can attest too!

7TH -- COCKADOODLE (Sahm) came off a brief vacation while dropping sharply

in class which sends up a classic red flag of negativity. He looked dull during

the post parade and then proceeded to run like a horse with physical problems to

help illustrate why he was dropped in class in the first place. Was claimed by

trainer Michael Reavis and this one can easily be read next time out as probably

will be dropping in class right off the claim, which means to stay away with

capitol letters.