Arlington Park news release
Contact: David Zenner
Dzenner@arlingtonpark.com
FANTASIA RALLIES FOR STORYBOOK VICTORY IN MODESTY HANDICAP
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (July 9, 2011) – Augustin Stable’s Fantasia made a four-wide rally in the stretch to overtake the front runners and hold off a late charge by Romin Robin to win the Grade III $150,000 Modesty Handicap by a length on Saturday. The time of 1:53.80 for the mile and three-sixteenths over firm turf set a stakes record for the Modesty.
With Rajiv Maragh in the irons, the 5-year-old daughter of Sadler’s Wells bided her time early, began to ease her way toward the front on the second turn before launching a powerful stretch kick and hold safe for the win.
“I knew I needed to be a little closer so I moved up a bit without using too much horse, and when I asked her she ran great,” said Maragh, who was riding his first winner at Arlington Park.
The victory, her first in four starts this year and her sixth in 18 starts overall, earns Fantasia an automatic berth and her entry and starting fees waived for the Grade I Beverly D. which will be run here Aug. 13. She picked up $87,300 to boost her bankroll to $673,441.
Favored Wasted Tears was quick from the gate and led the field through solid fractions of 23.85 seconds, 48.09 seconds, 1:11.78 and 1:35.95 before giving way late.
“She just got a little too tired, didn't have the punch she usually does,” said Julien Leparoux, who was aboard the beaten favorite.
Romin Robin rallied to poke a head in front briefly but couldn’t hold off the winner.
“She stumbled at the start and made a great run and just couldn’t catch the winner,” said jockey J. Z. Santana, who rode the runner-up.
My Baby Bay was third in the eight-horse field, followed by Askbut I Won’t Tell, Wasted Tears, La Gran Bailadora, Endless Expanse and Oregon Lady.
Second choice in the wagering, Fantasia returned $9.80, $5 and $3.20. Romin Robin returned $13.80 and $8. My Baby Baby paid $4.
Arlington Park – the Chicago area’s premier Thoroughbred racetrack located in Arlington Heights, Ill. – will run an 86-day meet in 2011 from Friday, May 6 through Sunday, Sept. 25. Arlington Park, whose parent company is Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN), also operates 12 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, Stanley’s Ale House featuring Trackside OTB in South Elgin, Nicolino’s featuring Trackside OTB in McHenry, TADS Sports Bar & Grill featuring Trackside OTB in South Beloit, Salerno-Pincente Ristorante featuring Trackside OTB in Hodgkins, Salerno-Pincente Ristorante featuring Trackside OTB in Villa Park and Sundance Saloon featuring Trackside OTB in Waukegan. Information on Arlington Park can be found online at www.arlingtonpark.com.
