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Contact: Michael Adolphson
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Barn Notes: Saturday, September 27, 2014
In Today’s Notes:
- Rivelli Revels in Second Meet Title
- Suntracer Continues Canadian International Preparation
- Voodoomon Tribute Race Today
RIVELLI REVELS IN SECOND MEET TITLE
Trainer Larry Rivelli will put the finishing touches on a stellar meet this weekend. Entering Saturday’s card, his 57 victories give him a commanding lead in the standings and his enviable 33% strike rate has been steady all season. Coming out of the gate as quickly as many of his charges’, Rivelli’s momentum has never ceased as he maintained a double-digit advantage over his rivals nearly the entirety of the year.
“It’s always nice to be the number one guy,” said the conditioner who will be taking his second career meet title. “The second time around it’s probably not as exhilarating, but we definitely had a much better meet as far as wins, the quality of horses and purse earnings. It’s definitely a tribute to the team. They work their butts off every day.”
Defeating a salty group of locally based conditioners, including 11-time champ Wayne Catalano, as well as veterans Mike Stidham, Chris Block and Tom Proctor, Rivelli has been in the money an excellent 66% of the time, while consistently well backed at the windows – resulting in an average win payout so far of $5.80.
“We have a lot of good trainers. To be in front of those guys is an honor and definitely lets us know we’re doing our jobs right,” Rivelli continued. “And if you don’t have the owners, none of this happens. I have a great bunch of owners and am lucky that they let us do what we need to do to be successful. Suzanne Stable, Vince Foglia (Patricia’s Hope) and Richard Ravin have especially been huge. They always support me – that’s the number one thing.”
As far as the next step for the expansive stable, Rivelli is ready to tackle the next step. “I am going to probably send a small string to Keeneland and I’ll run some of my Illinois-breds in the stakes at Hawthorne and then probably turn half the barn out in Ocala,” he said. “I’m really lucky to have Dr. Jean White in Florida who does a great job with our turned out horses, mares, yearlings, weanlings, 2-year-olds and layups. She’s a huge part of my success.”
When asked his favorite moment of the 2014 season, the Illinois mainstay was quick to point out one of his stable stars. “When Richies Sweetheart broke the track record, that was huge,” he said. “She’s a really nice horse and when I put her on turf she really moved forward. Then we took her to Saratoga and she won up there.”
More quality stock could be on the way for the trainer who also has a growing hand in the breeding business and has many young horses already on the ground. “I have a bunch of horses I think will be shining stars next year and am excited for what’s next,” Rivelli continued. “I hope we’re having this conversation again next year!”
SUNTRACER CONTINUES CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL PREPARATION
Local favorite Suntracer tightened the screws Saturday morning as he prepares for one of the toughest assignments of his career in the Grade I $1,000,000 Canadian International in October. The Team Block homebred negotiated four furlongs in a deliberate :48.80, breezing for trainer Chris Block. Suntracer exits one of the biggest victories of his career when taking the Grade III Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs earlier this month and will renew his rivalry with Midwest Thoroughbreds’ fellow Prairie State-bred favorite The Pizza Man at Woodbine in a few weeks.
VOODOOMON TRIBUTE RACE TODAY
The fifth annual Voodoomon tribute race will take place today in the seventh race at Arlington International Racecourse. In honor of the ill-fated local charge Voodoomon, owner Vanessa Nye of Voodoomon Racing will be on hand for the event. “It’s my fifth time doing this in the memory of my horse and I’m honored to once again have a chance to do so at Arlington. I’m giving a donation to Galloping Out today and like to use this as a chance to set a good example and show that people really do care about their horses,” Nye said. “I really love my horses and believe that if you are patient with them, they will reward you.”
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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