Arlington Park news release
Contact: David Zenner
Dzenner@arlingtonpark.com
GRAN ESTRENO REPEATS IN GRADE III WASHINGTON PARK ‘CAP
Earns Breeders’ Cup Berth in “Win & You’re In” Challenge
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (Sept. 4, 2010) – With his half-length victory in the Grade III $120,000 Washington Park Handicap Saturday at Arlington Park, Feel The Thunder Stable’s Gran Estreno earned an automatic starting berth in the Grade I $5,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Classic to be held Saturday, Nov. 6 at Churchill Downs.
Ridden by Michael Baze, the Mike Stidham-trained son of Lucky Roberto successfully defended his Washington Park title in the mile and three-sixteenths race over Polytrack, which went in 1:56.88.
After looking for a spot between horses at the top of the stretch, Baze guided the 7-year-old horse to the rail where he overtook pacesetter Mad Flatter in deep stretch and held off a late challenge from runner-up Giant Oak, who was closing on the outside.
“He didn’t break super sharp but I got after him a little bit,” Baze said. “It worked out good because if he had broken super sharp, I might have been four or five wide into the turn. I was fortunate to save ground all the way around there and get through on the rail.”
The Washington Park Handicap was the 11th win in 30 starts for Gran Estreno, who earned $60,000 to boost his bankroll to $407,235. His record over Arlington’s Polytrack surface is now five wins in six starts.
Mad Flatter led for more than a mile, through moderate fractions of 24.71, 48.63, 1:12.95 and 1:37.62 before giving way in the late stages.
“It might just be a little too far for him, but he tried his best,” said Lisa Graham, assistant to Mad Flatter’s trainer Jeff Thornbury and wife of his jockey James Graham.
Giant Oak, the 1-2 post time favorite, rallied wide to take the place spot.
“Everything went right, the race was perfect, he went when I asked him, but when (Mad Flatter) went out he gave a break to the one that won the race,” said Junior Alvarado, who rode the runner-up. “There was nothing else that I could do, I just did my best.”
Elusive Beat and Country Flavor completed the order of finish.
Sent off at odds of more than 4-1, Gran Estreno paid $10.60, $3.20 and $2.40. Giant Oak returned $2.80 and $2.60. Mad Flatter paid $2.60.
Arlington Park – the Chicago area’s premier Thoroughbred racetrack located in Arlington Heights, Ill. – will run a 91-day meet in 2010 from Thursday, April 29 through Sunday, Sept. 26. Arlington Park, whose parent company is Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN), also operates 11 off-track, simulcast-wagering facilities: Trackside Arlington Park (Arlington Heights), Trackside Chicago, Trackside Quad City Downs (East Moline), Trackside Waukegan, Shooters Bar & Grill at Don Carter Lanes featuring Trackside Rockford, Fat Sam’s Bar & Grill featuring Trackside OTB in Lockport, Lucky’s featuring Trackside OTB in South Elgin, Nicolino’s featuring Trackside OTB in McHenry, Tad’s Sports Bar & Grill featuring Trackside OTB in South Beloit, Salerno-Pincente Ristorante featuring Trackside OTB in Hodgkins and Sundance Saloon featuring Trackside OTB in Waukegan. Information on Arlington Park can be found online at www.arlingtonpark.com.
