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Contact: Michael Adolphson
(847) 385-7558
@AdolphsonRacing
In Today's Notes:
- Suntracer 'Fine' after Disappointing American St. Leger
- Global View Kentucky-Bound after Secretariat
SUNTRACER 'FINE' AFTER DISAPPOINTING AMERICAN ST. LEGER
On a day filled with outstanding performances by locally based horses, the effort of Team Block's Suntracer remains a mystery after the 3-1 second choice in the Listed $400,000 American St. Leger faltered to finish an extremely uncharacteristic ninth of 10 – beaten 20 lengths.
"He seems to be fine," trainer Chris Block reported. "I don't know what happened. We're regrouping and we'll see how he comes out of it and go from there."
Creating a bit of buzz all week leading up to the event in which he finished second the year prior, the son of Kitten's Joy was comfortable in his normal spot – about three-quarters of the way back in seventh – but failed to menace when roused on the third and final turn under new jockey Javier Castellano. It was only the fourth time since Oct. 2012 that the bay 6-year-old had finished worse than fourth and the first poor showing at Arlington International Racecourse since an atypical eighth-place finish in the Grade I Secretariat Stakes almost exactly three years prior.
"It was very out of character and it would be nice to have an excuse," Block continued. "Hopefully when we regroup, we'll figure out what happened."
Obvious spots for redemption this fall for the earner of $618,306 in 34 starts include the Grade III Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs in September and the Grade III Sycamore in October at Keeneland. Suntracer finished third and fourth – beaten a grand total of 2¼ lengths – in those races last year, respectively.
GLOBAL VIEW KENTUCKY-BOUND AFTER SECRETARIAT
Glen Hill Farm's locally trained Global View exited his fourth-place finish in the Grade I Secretariat on Arlington Million Day in good form, according to his connections. Of the seven entrants in the $500,000 event, Global View was one of only two with works over the turf.
The son of Galileo had an odd trip from the rail under Julien Leparoux. Breaking alertly, the leggy $500,000 Keeneland purchase was in fifth after a half-mile, nearly 14 lengths behind leader and eventual runner-up Tourist. Left with much to do entering the stretch, nearly 7¼ lengths behind the leader, the sophomore closed well to finish fourth, a half-length behind Sheldon and five lengths astern winner Adelaide.
"He came out really good," reported Lindsay Schultz, assistant to conditioner Tom Proctor. "He shipped to Churchill Downs yesterday to prepare for the fall. He was making his move late, but he's the type of horse who takes a while to get going. I think we are happy enough with his performance. He showed he fits."
Those sentiments were echoed and elaborated upon by Glen Hill's president Craig Bernick. "He seems fine. A few days out and horses can give you a false reading, but if he is okay, he'll run back in September or October," he explained. "If not, we'll send him to the farm and let him be a horse before bringing him back next year.
"It was a puzzling race," Bernick continued. "When your horse runs really well, you can stack up their form. When they're taken so far out of the race and not really given a chance, it is hard to read. Our thoughts have always been that he's better when he goes further, but his best races so far have been around a mile. I think, if he's okay, he could show up in the (Grade II $200,000) John Henry (Turf Championship) or the (Grade II $200,000) Twilight Derby on Breeders' Cup (Friday)."
-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
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