FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Adolphson
(847) 385-7558
Barn Notes: Saturday, June 07, 2014
In Today's Notes:
- Grade I-Placed Battlefield Angel Stakes-Bound after Impressive Score
- Breeders' Cup Third Colonel Joan Breaks Maiden for Harty
BATTLEFIELD ANGEL STAKES-BOUND AFTER IMPRESSIVE SCORE
Well regarded filly Battlefield Angel may be stakes-bound after a solid allowance win on Thursday, according to her connections. Trained by Kellyn Gorder and owned by John and Martha Jane Mulholland, the daughter of Proud Citizen made a romping debut on the Arlington International Racecourse turf, winning a first level allowance by a facile four lengths. After prompting the pace, the Kentucky-bred flanked the leader before quickly opening up on the field in mid-stretch and putting her foes away with ease. The race was her second of 2014 – the first being a third in a tough six-furlong allowance on May 17.
"It went really good; she felt great," said jockey Florent Geroux. "She probably needed the race last time out. I think it really helped her coming into the race. She was a question mark on the turf, but Mr. Gorder told me she would like it and plenty of pedigree to take to it."
Last year, while owned by Eclipse Thoroughbreds and trained by Wayne Catalano, the filly was highly regarded by her connections. She broke her maiden at second asking at the Chicagoland oval before a troubled trip in the Listed Arlington-Washington Lassie. "She stumbled from the gate last year," Geroux explained. "I think she could have won that race. She has a lot of class and could win graded stakes." Battlefield Angel subsequently finished a flying third in the Grade I Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland to close out her year.
"I got her in mid-winter," Gorder said. "She was sold privately and was at Keeneland this whole time training. We were actually looking for a shorter race on the main track, but the race didn't go. We'll be looking for a stakes somewhere with her." Possibly on tap for the emblazoned chestnut may be the Grade III $150,000 Arlington Oaks on July 19 on the same main course Polytrack upon which she broke her maiden.
-MORE-
Barn Notes
June 7, 2014
Page 2
BREEDERS' CUP THIRD COLONEL JOAN BREAKS MAIDEN FOR HARTY
Kathy Harty and Mark DeDomenico's Colonel Joan may have taken her time to break her maiden, but she sure did do it impressively at Arlington International Racecourse on Friday. Always highly regarded by trainer Eoin Harty, the daughter of Travers winner Colonel John (also trained by Harty) was third in last year's Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf behind European champion juvenile filly Chriselliam in her fourth career start. Kept slightly wide during the running of Friday's affair, she quickly assterted herself en route to a comfortable 1¾-length score.
"I tried my best to keep her out of trouble. She was looking at everything – the camera crew, everything," said winning rider James Graham. "She was coming in extremely tough with the way she was working," added assistant trainer Whit Beckman, who has been overseeing Harty's local string. "She did everything the right way coming into this. She's put some weight on since arriving and has looked great."
Harty, who was on hand for the victory – his first at the meet after a series of seconds and thirds at low odds – was visibly pleased for the filly co-owned by his wife. "She ran exactly like we thought she would. I still have high hopes for her. I was tired of taking peoples' money," he joked. "I'm glad we could get a win for the bettors."
As far as the future, a return to stakes competition is inevitable for the multiple stakes-placed filly. "We'll make a decision soon. She'll most likely stay at Arlington. There's the (Grade III Arlington) Oaks and the Hatoof (Stakes) to consider." The Oaks, over the Polytrack – a similar surface upon which Colonel Joan raced well upon last year at Del Mar – is slated for July 19, while the grassy Hatoof is part of the International Festival of Racing Aug. 16.
-END-
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Adolphson
(847) 385-7558
Barn Notes: Saturday, June 07, 2014
In Today's Notes:
- Grade I-Placed Battlefield Angel Stakes-Bound after Impressive Score
- Breeders' Cup Third Colonel Joan Breaks Maiden for Harty
BATTLEFIELD ANGEL STAKES-BOUND AFTER IMPRESSIVE SCORE
Well regarded filly Battlefield Angel may be stakes-bound after a solid allowance win on Thursday, according to her connections. Trained by Kellyn Gorder and owned by John and Martha Jane Mulholland, the daughter of Proud Citizen made a romping debut on the Arlington International Racecourse turf, winning a first level allowance by a facile four lengths. After prompting the pace, the Kentucky-bred flanked the leader before quickly opening up on the field in mid-stretch and putting her foes away with ease. The race was her second of 2014 – the first being a third in a tough six-furlong allowance on May 17.
"It went really good; she felt great," said jockey Florent Geroux. "She probably needed the race last time out. I think it really helped her coming into the race. She was a question mark on the turf, but Mr. Gorder told me she would like it and plenty of pedigree to take to it."
Last year, while owned by Eclipse Thoroughbreds and trained by Wayne Catalano, the filly was highly regarded by her connections. She broke her maiden at second asking at the Chicagoland oval before a troubled trip in the Listed Arlington-Washington Lassie. "She stumbled from the gate last year," Geroux explained. "I think she could have won that race. She has a lot of class and could win graded stakes." Battlefield Angel subsequently finished a flying third in the Grade I Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland to close out her year.
"I got her in mid-winter," Gorder said. "She was sold privately and was at Keeneland this whole time training. We were actually looking for a shorter race on the main track, but the race didn't go. We'll be looking for a stakes somewhere with her." Possibly on tap for the emblazoned chestnut may be the Grade III $150,000 Arlington Oaks on July 19 on the same main course Polytrack upon which she broke her maiden.
BREEDERS' CUP THIRD COLONEL JOAN BREAKS MAIDEN FOR HARTY
Kathy Harty and Mark DeDomenico's Colonel Joan may have taken her time to break her maiden, but she sure did do it impressively at Arlington International Racecourse on Friday. Always highly regarded by trainer Eoin Harty, the daughter of Travers winner Colonel John (also trained by Harty) was third in last year's Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf behind European champion juvenile filly Chriselliam in her fourth career start. Kept slightly wide during the running of Friday's affair, she quickly assterted herself en route to a comfortable 1¾-length score.
"I tried my best to keep her out of trouble. She was looking at everything – the camera crew, everything," said winning rider James Graham. "She was coming in extremely tough with the way she was working," added assistant trainer Whit Beckman, who has been overseeing Harty's local string. "She did everything the right way coming into this. She's put some weight on since arriving and has looked great."
Harty, who was on hand for the victory – his first at the meet after a series of seconds and thirds at low odds – was visibly pleased for the filly co-owned by his wife. "She ran exactly like we thought she would. I still have high hopes for her. I was tired of taking peoples' money," he joked. "I'm glad we could get a win for the bettors."
As far as the future, a return to stakes competition is inevitable for the multiple stakes-placed filly. "We'll make a decision soon. She'll most likely stay at Arlington. There's the (Grade III Arlington) Oaks and the Hatoof (Stakes) to consider." The Oaks, over the Polytrack – a similar surface upon which Colonel Joan raced well upon last year at Del Mar – is slated for July 19, while the grassy Hatoof is part of the International Festival of Racing Aug. 16.
-END-
David Zenner│Senior Manager of Communications
Arlington International Racecourse
2200 W. Euclid Ave. Arlington Heights IL 60006-0007
P 847.385.7535│C: 847.371.1670 | F: 847.870.6727│E: David.Zenner@arlingtonpark.com
Twitter: @dave_zenner, @arlingtonracing
________________________________
This Churchill Downs Incorporated communication (including any attachments) is intended for the use of the intended recipient(s) only and may contain information that is confidential, privileged or legally protected. Any unauthorized use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender by return e-mail message and delete all copies of the original communication. Thank you for your cooperation.
