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Contact: Michael Adolphson
(847) 385-7558
Press Box Fax: (847) 870-6727
Michael.Adolphson@ArlingtonPark.com
(847) 385-7558
Press Box Fax: (847) 870-6727
Michael.Adolphson@ArlingtonPark.com
In Today's Notes:
- Temperamental and Talented Euro Charline Gets a Feel for Arlington
- Team Block vs. Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock: Round III
- Diana Winner Somali Lemonade Settles in Well
TEMPERAMENTAL AND TALENTED EURO CHARLINE GETS A FEEL FOR ARLINGTON
Team Valor International's Group I-placed sophomore filly Euro Charline is set to not only take on the challenge of more distance than she has ever tackled and older mares for the first time, but will also have to overcome her own attitude in the process. Known for having an erratic disposition, the daughter of Myboycharlie has overcome such to win the Listed Valiant Stakes recently, as well as running an excellent third in the Group I Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot behind multiple Group I winner Rizeena. On Wednesday, the bay filly had her second routine canter in as many days around the Arlington International Racecourse turf under assistant trainer Lucie Botti.
"She felt very good," Botti reported. "We are very pleased. I think most of the good fillies have a little spark in them. If it comes with ability, it's fine."
As far as the race itself, Botti has remained realistic – yet still very confident in her charge's ability. "I think the draw is very important. We are not worried about the distance because she settles well in the races and in her work at home – so we're pretty confident in that. The field is an unknown running against older fillies; they are very good. It's tough to ask, but she is going to try."
Trained by Lucie's husband Marco Botti, the lightly raced winner of three races will face six Group I or Grade I winners. "It's very difficult to compare the American form to the European form, but that's something for the handicappers to do," Botti continued. "I think you have to respect Just The Judge – she's a classic winner and is moving well on the turf here. She would be – from our perspective – the one to beat. I'm not taking anything from the American form; we just can't compare. For us, she would be the main target."
TEAM BLOCK VS. AUSTRALIAN THOROUGHBRED BLOODSTOCK: ROUND III
One of the more exciting storylines of the International Festival of Racing at Arlington International Racecourse this weekend is the rematch of Team Block's Suntracer and his conqueror in last year's Listed $400,000 American St. Leger, Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock's Dandino. After looking briefly like a winner at the eighth-pole in 2013, Suntracer was inhaled by a freshly freed Dandino in the final yards. The race was especially reminiscent of the year prior when Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock's Jakkalberry caught and out-battled Team Block's Ioya Bigtime in the final furlong in the inaugural running of the event.
"He's training really good," trainer Chris Block said of Suntracer. "Since the (Grade III) Stars and Stripes (on July 12), he's probably come out of it better than I've seen him come out of most races. He was training really well going into that and has continued on since. He's kind of hit his point where he carries his weight and his flesh really good. Races don't take much out of him, if at all, and he carries it on from there."
Block is leaving little to chance in his third attempt to beat the Down Under invaders – even hiring America's leading jockey in purses earned, Javier Castellano. "I'll leave (the ride) strictly up to Javier. I don't want to give any instructions and that's why I got him on (Suntracer). I'm just going to tell him that this horse runs really well with one big punch and if you put him in the clear and find your spot, the horse will do the rest."
Though he knows Dandino is the horse to beat, Block keeps his focus solely on his charge. "To be honest with you, I haven't really looked at the race. I have come to the point now in my career here where I don't fear the opposition because I can't change what's there. I know what my horse can do and I feel confident in him, so I feel that he's going to run really well."
The connections of Dandino, on the other hand, are keenly aware of the opposition.
"Obviously last year's second, Suntracer, is the one to watch," said assistant trainer Lucie Botti. "Also, I do like all three of the European runners, as well. It's very open. We were honestly hoping for an easier task, but (Dandino) is a good horse. We will need a little bit of luck, of course."
Though the son of Dansili had a phenomenal season in 2013 after winning the American St. Leger, including a good fifth as the second choice in the world's most prestigious marathon – the Group I Melbourne Cup – his 2014 season has commenced with two dull efforts.
"He has different form behind him this year – he had a setback last winter – and being an older horse, he needs more conditioning," Botti continued. "But, he's been very pleasing at home and worked very well in his last work on Saturday. We are really happy with him."
In what will be only his third start of 2014, Dandino is in prime shape to return to form in what looks to be an exciting and complex renewal of the marathon fixture. If so, it could set the stage for an epic third battle between the green and gold blocks of Team Block and the yellow with blue seems of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock down the Arlington stretch.
DIANA WINNER SOMALI LEMONADE SETTLES IN WELL
Caroline Forgason's Somali Lemonade brings hefty credentials to Arlington International Racecourse after a solid win in the Grade I Diana Stakes at Saratoga on July 19 – a race which produced five of the 11 entries for Saturday's Grade I $750,000 Beverly D. The daughter of Lemon Drop Kid had her first stroll around the local oval on Wednesday morning after shipping from Saratoga on Tuesday afternoon. Trained by Michael Matz, the 5-year-old mare is being looked after by her head traveling lass and morning rider Clare Byrnes.
"This morning was very good," Byrnes reported. "She jogged one and galloped one (lap) and got a look around; no problems at all. She shipped fine and settled in nicely."
Somali Lemonade looks to be in career-best form this year. "She's been doing really great since the Diana," Byrnes continued. "She just keeps improving and getting better and better. When the blinkers were added, she completely changed her game. She settled really nicely in the Diana and we're hoping she does that again – especially with her outside draw (post 11)." Luis Saez has the return call on Saturday.
-END-
David Zenner│Senior Manager of Communications
Arlington International Racecourse
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