Arlington Park Stakes Recap: Washington Park Handicap (GIII)

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GRAN ESTRENO REPEATS IN GRADE III WASHINGTON PARK ‘CAP

Earns Breeders’ Cup Berth in “Win & You’re In” Challenge

 

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (Sept. 4, 2010) – With his half-length victory in the Grade III $120,000 Washington Park Handicap Saturday at Arlington Park, Feel The Thunder Stable’s Gran Estreno earned an automatic starting berth in the Grade I $5,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Classic to be held Saturday, Nov. 6 at Churchill Downs. 

 

Ridden by Michael Baze, the Mike Stidham-trained son of Lucky Roberto successfully defended his Washington Park title in the mile and three-sixteenths race over Polytrack, which went in 1:56.88.

 

After looking for a spot between horses at the top of the stretch, Baze guided the 7-year-old horse to the rail where he overtook pacesetter Mad Flatter in deep stretch and held off a late challenge from runner-up Giant Oak, who was closing on the outside.

 

“He didn’t break super sharp but I got after him a little bit,” Baze said.  “It worked out good because if he had broken super sharp, I might have been four or five wide into the turn.  I was fortunate to save ground all the way around there and get through on the rail.”

 

The Washington Park Handicap was the 11^th win in 30 starts for Gran Estreno, who earned $60,000 to boost his bankroll to $407,235.  His record over Arlington’s Polytrack surface is now five wins in six starts.

 

Mad Flatter led for more than a mile, through moderate fractions of 24.71, 48.63, 1:12.95 and 1:37.62 before giving way in the late stages.

 

“It might just be a little too far for him, but he tried his best,” said Lisa Graham, assistant to Mad Flatter’s trainer Jeff Thornbury and wife of his jockey James Graham.

 

Giant Oak, the 1-2 post time favorite, rallied wide to take the place spot.

 

“Everything went right, the race was perfect, he went when I asked him, but when (Mad Flatter) went out he gave a break to the one that won the race,” said Junior Alvarado, who rode the runner-up.  “There was nothing else that I could do, I just did my best.”

 

Elusive Beat and Country Flavor completed the order of finish.

 

Sent off at odds of more than 4-1, Gran Estreno paid $10.60, $3.20 and $2.40.  Giant Oak returned $2.80 and $2.60.  Mad Flatter paid $2.60.

 

 

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