Modesty J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

A trio of accomplished grass distaffers leads a compact group of six postward

in Saturday's $150,000 Modesty H. (G3) at Arlington Park. This local

steppingstone to the Beverly D. S. (G1) next month attracted a trio of

Grade/Group 1 winners and any of the three could take this. We'll take a chance

with the underrated HOT CHA CHA (Cactus Ridge). A convincing heroine of the

Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. (G1) at Keeneland in the fall, the stout

four-year-old has run excellent races in her three 2010 starts, led by a fine tally in

the Mint Julep H. (G3) most recently. The dark bay is a question mark at this

trip, as most of these are, but she has kept excellent company throughout her

career and should get a nice trip just off what we expect to be a slow early

tempo. James Graham retains the mount.

California gem TUSCAN EVENING (Ire) (Oasis Dream [GB]) is the queen of the

west and has rolled to five straight wins under the care of conditioner Jerry

Hollendorfer. The outstanding five-year-old has won graded events from 6

1/2-furlongs to 1 1/4-miles in her streak and simply has no competition in

California. She sees better in here, but if she's allowed to lope along with an

easy lead early, this one might be over turning for home. Rafael Bejarano ships

in with the mare.

Group 1 standout RAINBOW VIEW (Dynaformer) is a classy filly who ran a decent

third over good ground in the Nassau S. (Can-G2) most recently for expert

horseman Jonathan Sheppard. The four-year-old was a visually impressive heroine

of the Gallorette H. (G3) two back and is seemingly better on firm going from

what we have seen since she imported here from Europe, so if the turf is to her

liking she can easily be the one with Julien Leparoux.

ECLAIR DE LUNE (Ger) (Marchand de Sable) owns just two career wins and has

finished fourth in both starts since joining Ron McAnally's barn in the United States.

With that said, we are quite intrigued by the four-year-old, who flashed a ton

of ability in France and could be rounding into a top showing in her third

off the bench. The distance shouldn't pose a problem for the bay, and if the

ground comes up wet, we think she moves way up and could challenge these for a

big upset. Junior Alvarado guides the interesting longshot.

Local allowance queen SINGLE SOLUTION (Flatter) has some ability but is in

too deep here. Illinois stakes vixen ASKBUT I WON'TTELL (Horse Chestnut [SAf])

would be a big surprise.