ARLINGTON NOTES
| Arlington Park Stakes Results
TWO ITEM LIMIT SCORES IN UNIQUE TYPE HANDICAP ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (Sept. 14, 2002) -- Two-time Illinois Horse of the Year Joseph Graffeo's Two Item Limit stalked the pace of Shemya, overtook that rival in mid-stretch and drew off to a four-length victory in the $42,000 Unique Type Handicap Saturday at Arlington Park. Rene Douglas was aboard the Stephen DiMauro-trained filly who covered the mile over a fast track in 1:36.87. The Unique Type marked the first start for the bay daughter of Twining in her native state. The 4-year-old filly has done most of running in graded stakes company on the East Coast and was using the state-bred restricted race as a confidence builder following a fifth-place finish in the Grade I Personal Ensign Handicap at Saratoga. "Last time out, we thought she'd run a much better race," DiMauro said of that Aug. 23 race in New York. "We're not sure why she didn't run her race. Hopefully it was just a loose track. It's been awhile since we won a race (the Black Eyes Susan at Pimlico in May 2001). We needed to win a race and she ran a big race (today). We were pleased." Two Item Limit was third in the Grade I Breeders' Cup Distaff at Belmont Park last year and DiMauro was asked if a start in this year's race, to be run at Arlington Park on Oct. 26, was a possibility. "We're going to have to train her here for a little while and she how she responds," the trainer said. "Obviously she likes the track. I know it will be a different caliber of racehorse in the Breeders' Cup. We'll just have to play it by ear and see what happens." Sent off as the 3-10 favorite, Two Item Limit paid $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10. Something Wicked rallied from last to be second and returned $3.80 and $2.10. Pacesetter Shemya was caught late for the place money and finished third, paying $2.10. - END - |