2019 Arlington Handicap Study Guide

Jul 12, 2019 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A field of ten turf stayers will go 1 3/16 miles on the Arlington Park turf in Saturday’s $150,000 Arlington Handicap (G3). The local prep for the Arlington Million (G1) is a competitive event with international flavor, and it promises to be an exciting feature on a big day of racing.

This is the field:

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Bandua Career Racing Stats

11 Starts
2 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $166,371

Top BRIS Speed rating (99) for unplaced run in 2018 Canadian International (G1)

Owner: Calumet Farm
Breeder: Judy Hicks and Kathryn Nikkel (KY)
Trainer: Jack Sisterson
Jockey: Adam Beschizza

Sire: The Factor
Dam: If Angels Sang
Color: Gray/Roan

This Grade-1 placed colt draws along the rail as a win contender in the cast. Four-year-old dueled for the lead to midstretch before tiring in the Manhattan (G1) most recently, and he figures to receive a more favorable pace scenario in this spot while facing easier. The Kentucky-bred is reunited with Adam Beschizza for this assignment.

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Botswana Career Racing Stats

9 Starts
2 Wins
3 Place
2 Show
Total Career Earnings: $111,973

Top BRIS Speed rating (85) in allowance third-placing

Owner: Bentley Combs
Breeder: Silverton Hills Farm LLC (KY)
Trainer: Bentley Combs
Jockey: Mitchell Murrill

Sire: Graydar
Dam: Oculuna
Color: Dark Bay

Outsider has solid form but looks to be in a tough spot making his stakes debut against these. The four-year-old gelding will be forwardly placed from the start but could be in deep late.

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Nobrag Justfact Career Racing Stats

12 Starts
3 Wins
3 Place
2 Show
Total Career Earnings: $194,064

Top BRIS Speed rating (92) in Mystic Lake Mile victory

Owner: Super XIIV
Breeder: Lansdowne Thoroughbreds (KY)
Trainer: Eric Heitzmann
Jockey: Eddie Martin Jr.

Sire: The Factor
Dam: Jostle
Color: Bay

Recent stakes winner showed a nice turn of foot at eight furlongs last out and now stretches out to 1 3/16 miles. Well-bred colt will need improvement to challenge this field inside the final panel.

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Spooky Channel Career Racing Stats

9 Starts
6 Wins
2 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $87,746

Top BRIS Speed rating (94) in allowance win at Turf Paradise

Owner: Terry Hamilton
Breeder: Calumet Farm (KY)
Trainer: Brian Lynch
Jockey: Julio Felix

Sire: English Channel
Dam: Spooky Kitten
Color: Chestnut

Chestnut gelding gets a positive trainer change to Brian Lynch, who will saddle the four-year-old for the initial time. Kentucky-bred has been first or second in eight of nine lifetime performances, but he steps up the class ladder quite a bit in his graded debut here.

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El Picaro Career Racing Stats

8 Starts
5 Wins
2 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $172,310

Top BRIS Speed rating (91) for sixth in Wise Dan Stakes (G2)

Owner: Y. H. Yue
Breeder: Haras Paso Nevado (CHI)
Trainer: Ignacio Correas IV
Jockey: Jose Valdivia Jr.

Sire: Lookin at Lucky
Dam: La Sinverguenza
Color: Bay

Three-time Group 1 hero ran an even race in the deep Wise Dan Stakes (G2) in his stateside debut in June. Four-year-old colt is a well-bred and accomplished sort who seems poised for big improvement second time in the United States. The bay shows two nice morning drills readying for this test, and he gets a rider change to local ace Jose Valdivia Jr.

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Captivating Moon Career Racing Stats

13 Starts
2 Wins
6 Place
3 Show
Total Career Earnings: $247,266

Top BRIS Speed rating (97) for fifth-placing in 2018 Secretariat Stakes (G1)

Owner: Lothenbach Stables Inc.
Breeder: Lothenbach Stables Inc. (KY)
Trainer: Chris Block
Jockey: Carlos Marquez Jr.

Sire: Malibu Moon
Dam: Appealing Storm
Color: Bay

Consistent four-year-old put in a pair of solid efforts with graded company on this lawn last campaign and makes his 2019 bow in this offering. The four-year-old colt will run without blinkers in this spot and will be doing his best work from off the pace. Late runner could be dangerous if the pace backs up in the lane.

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The Great Day Career Racing Stats

12 Starts
4 Wins
5 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $248,415

Top BRIS Speed rating (86) for fifth in the Prince George’s County Stakes at Laurel Park

Owner: Lael Stables
Breeder: Firmamento (ARG)
Trainer: Arnaud Delacour
Jockey: Flavien Prat

Sire: Harlan’s Holiday
Dam: The Great Glory
Color: Bay

This import is a multiple Group 1 victor on the dirt searching for his first turf tally. Argentine-bred five-year-old had a troubled trip in his stateside debut and has room for marked improvement for sharp conditioner Arnaud Delacour. The win contender entices Flavien Prat to take the reins, which is a big positive.

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Royal Artillery Career Racing Stats

14 Starts
2 Wins
1 Place
2 Show
Total Career Earnings: $142,923

Top BRIS Speed rating (93) for second in the main track Champions Day Marathon Stakes at Churchill Downs

Owner: Crystal Lane Racing LLC, I. C. Racing LLC
Breeder: JPR Stable LLC (KY)
Trainer: Ignacio Correas IV
Jockey: Miguel Mena

Sire: War Front
Dam: Masseuse
Color: Dark Bay

The second of two from the Correas barn has yet to distinguish himself from seven races in the United States. Longshot six-year-old would be a surprise with Miguel Mena in the stirrups.

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Cullum Road Career Racing Stats

17 Starts
4 Wins
2 Place
3 Show
Total Career Earnings: $272,748

Top BRIS Speed rating (95) for third in Fort Marcy Stakes (G3)

Owner: Three Diamonds Farm
Breeder: Hargus and Sandra Sexton & Silver Fern Farm LLC (KY)
Trainer: Michael Maker
Jockey: Florent Geroux

Sire: Quality Road
Dam: R Charlie’s Angel
Color: Bay

Dangerous commodity has some class to him and could be a contender late in making his Arlington Park debut. Gelded son of Quality Road finished a fine third in the Fort Marcy Stakes (G3) two back, and he would appreciate if the ground has some moisture in it on Saturday. The former claimer will be rallying from off the pace beneath Florent Geroux.

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My Bariley Career Racing Stats

25 Starts
5 Wins
5 Place
2 Show
Total Career Earnings: $262,294

Top BRIS Speed rating (94) in 2018 Mystic Lake Mile victory

Owner: Captain Jack Racing Stable LLC
Breeder: Captain Jack Racing Stable LLC (KY)
Trainer: Anthony Granitz
Jockey: Drayden Van Dyke

Sire: Mizzen Mast
Dam: Si Si Mon Amie
Color: Dark Bay

This longshot draws widest in the field and would need a career best to make an impact from this draw. The stakes winner has not displayed great current form, but he has room to move forward in just his second appearance since the winter. The one-run closer gets a fine rider upgrade to Drayden Van Dyke for this assignment, as well.