Arlington Stakes – Grade III
CD Race #10 1 1/16m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.
1 Raj The Magician Wood Duck Stables Garcia Mar
The owner kept this one in the little leagues last year and will be pleased they didn’t lose him in a claim as he has used that quiet season and launched a really good campaign this year. Two early placings in stakes company were rounded off nicely last time with a strong win in the Opening Verse and i have a suspicion that this one is rapidly traveling up his improvement curve and could be a big chance off this ace draw. Everything is set up here for a perfect stalk and if the pace isn’t one of those crazy anomalies then he may be the one to upset some of the more established ones.
2 The Good Son YME Stable Landeros C
A solid sort but i am not sure his turf form is up to this however some recent works suggest there is a rise in his code and we could be seeing a horse about to break through. Drawn perfectly and from a stable that can spot this sort of rapid improvement he may be one of those you scratch your head about afterwards but goes on to better things.
3 Commanding Officer Winning Link Stables Hernandez C J
Gets a two pound penalty thanks to his Appleton win and has shown enough to suggest that with this handy draw he can be competitive even with the extra weight. My only reservation with him is that on a faster track he has looked a bit one paced in a finish and his Appleton win came on an off track so those conditions may be his best chance here.
4 Religion D J C Racing Stables Rispoli U
His form is a shade inconsistent and like his name there seems to be little explanation as to why. Terrible in the Mohawk and TAM Stakes but a really nice winner of the Tropical Park Derby in between so whilst it is impossible to know what we are going to get here he wouldn’t be without a chance from this handy draw.
5 Hawaiian Lord Our Athletes Geroux F
He was showing some improvement through his works so the trainer threw him into the Forrester Turf classic last time but that turned out to be a bad move as he ended up last of the ten. He gets another shot at proving himself today and this is a much better level to do it in.
6 Roodey Maxmillion Farm Beschizza A
I have been saying it for the last ten years, if the turf king as a runner in a turf race why even look at anything else. A very nice winner of the TAM Stakes before being a little disappointing in his last two this looks a perfect opportunity for him to bounce back.
7 Messin With The Kid South Shore Stables Hernandez B J Jr
He had done a lot of his racing at the free track up to his last two efforts but since being switched back to pay he has shown plenty with a good win and a strong second in overnight company. The trainer must be seeing something at home to bring him here over this trip and on this surface but the beauty of HRP is there are plenty of horses with form like this hat win graded stakes.
8 Big Aspirations Hippyheart Albarado R J
A real consistent sort and the sort we would all like to have in our yard he certainly stands out on his achievements. Tactics and race pace will play a huge part in his effort as this may be his minimum trip these days but you cannot knock his form or his lightening work times. Must be favorite to win.
9 Rebel Storm Nakamura Stables Murrill M
He looked like a bit of a late flowering type when he ran a good third in the Seabicuit Handicap but he hasn’t gone on with that since. Having said that this is one of those that is very consistent in getting a wide draw through the random draw generator so he hasn’t had the best luck of late. There is definitely ability here and the trainer is a master at finding it but this may be another one of those unlucky efforts.
10 Red Divos Alliance TwinTowersRacing Saez G
Just when i thought it was safe to pick my top three TTR throws this one in, in fact the next three all muddy the waters somewhat. His form isn’t great but i noticed some very strong works and if there is one stable that can pull a performance out of nothing it is this one.
11 Invade The Storm Saratoga Stud Talamo J
A runner in the KYD and the Preakness last year he has struggled to get back to his pre TC form since although there has been glimmers along the way. A nice win in a optional claimer last time suggests the trainer has seen something in him that says “i am back”, i guess we will all find out after this race.
12 Tiger Claw London Racing Gaffalione T
Out in the car park we find this useful four year old who is a real consistent sort at all levels. His last three efforts have all be in graded stakes and in all of them he brought home a check so you have to give him a big chance if he can find his way home from out here.
SUMMARY
Well if Big Aspirations can run anywhere near his work times he will win this and he must be the top choice. You can’t write of Roodey because of Maxmillions involvement and if Tiger Claw can get some favors from the race engine he is entitled to a paycheck. My each way value in the race is Raj The Magician.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
