Happy Trails to the Arlington Park 2011 Meet
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Before we review the Arlington meet, I’d like to extend my deepest sympathy to the Reynolds family. It’s hard to believe that Tim “Tiznow” Reynolds is no longer with us. He was the biggest fan of racing that any of us knew and he was well-versed in many aspects of our sport. Let’s not forget Tim’s legacy as a world-class fan and person and let’s realize that we need more fans like him. Rest in peace Tim, I’m happy that you were able to visit us at the Arlington Million this summer.
What an amazing ride Arlington Park’s 2011 meet was! I was enthralled by the horses, the action, and the people. Chicago racing returned to top form this year with full, quality fields not only in the stakes races but in the normal race day schedule as well. The track also provided value to its customers with excellent payouts (which I will detail out below including my friend Travis’ 35-1 score on closing day) and promotions.
Let’s dive into the recap of the Arlington 2011 meet.
Again, Arlington did not disappoint in their quest to draw world-class horses to their graded stakes races this year. Not only were we blessed with the presence of my favorite horse Gio Ponti (whom I hope I get to visit some time) but also:
• Cape Blanco, Stacelita
, and Treasure Beach showed their European Grade 1 dominance on turf on a rainy Million day.
• Willcox Inn first won the Arlington Classic by 2 ½ lengths and then was quite impressive with a 4-length victory in the American Derby on July 9th giving Mike Stidham two in a row for that Grade 2 stake as well as making a bid for the Mid-America Triple.
• Tajaaweed closed in from behind and took over in the stretch to win the Arlington Handicap on Million preview day.
• Pachattack was much the best by 6 lengths in the Arlington Matron Handicap (and second in the Personal Ensign at Saratoga.)
• Devil By Design used a stalking trip to score in the Chicago Handicap.
• Workin For Hops returned to Chicago to take another stakes victory, this time in the Hanshin.
• Finally, how can we forget the new stakes record set by Fantasia in the Modesty Handicap?
Other local favorites that I also enjoyed watching this summer included Tazz, Helicopter, Pirates Vow
, Zipping Away, Top Surprize, and newly-retired Set In Stone.
In a tight race to the finish Larry Rivelli took home the training title this summer with 39 wins; two ahead of Scott Becker
and five ahead of Wayne Catalano. Jim DiVito was making significant strides at the end of the meet ending up with 31 wins overall. Tim Ice also did very well in his first season in Chicago with 14 wins and 28 finishes on the board in only 62 starts. I was very glad to have met Tim and have been able to write a blog post about him too! For my first time in a stable (along with my daughter Greer) I was absolutely amazed by how well cared for and fit and trim these horses were.
In my first ever visit to morning workouts, a jockey named James Graham noticed that Chris Szulc, my best friend Jason Katz, and I were STILL on the rail as he passed by on one horse after another. He quipped at us “are you still here?” That very jockey ended up winning the riding title this summer with a total of 82 victories. Jozbin Santana
and Junior Alvarado (who missed time with a broken collar bone earlier in the season) each came in second with 79 wins each. I also had the pleasure of meeting one of the classiest people in racing all together, jockey Chris Emigh. Scott Dick’s blog about Chris earlier this summer was spot on.
My second blog post ever was regarding the early value and returns that Arlington offered. I’m proud to say that the value carried all the way through the entire season. Check out these average payouts (certainly no chalk factories here)!
• Win - $12.36
• Double - $109.18
• Exacta - $86.36
• Trifecta - $158.32 (50 cent)
• Superfecta - $208.33 (10 cent)
• Pick 4 - $1443.04 (50 cent)
Whoa, right? Horses that left the gate between 7/2 and 9/1 won an astounding 32.6% of the time!
All of this pales in comparison to the people that I have been able to meet and connect with this season. I first just want to say thanks to the opportunity afforded to me by Brian Zipse and Dave Zenner!! My first season as a credentialed press member in Chicago was the most amazing experience ever. While I have been a fan of racing for some time this is the closest I have ever been to the action and have enjoyed every minute of it.
I have also made some new Chicago-based racing friends and acquaintances that I will be able to talk racing with and enjoy races with forever. These folks include Stats Master E (Eric Slora), Chris Szulc of Horizon Racing, Robert Potter, Tom Dubrick, Joe Kristufek, Brian W. Spencer, Janine Starykowicz, Jim Miller, MJ McLaughlin, Dahlia Fazioli, Jennifer Wirth-Ice, and fellow Minnesotan Dave Miller. It’s been a pleasure to meet and hang out with you all!
For anyone that visits Arlington Park, you are familiar with that final song as you leave the track for the day; Happy Trails. Well as we ride off into the Arlington Heights sunset for the season, let us not forget that there is still racing in Chicago! Hawthorne’s fall meet begins on 10/1/11 and I, the Chicago Dark Horse, will be covering the fall and spring meets. I’ve actually never been to or wagered at Hawthorne and I am completely looking forward to this new experience.
So with that we bid Arlington adieu, and say hello to Hawthorne.
What were your favorite memories of this year’s Arlington meet?
What an amazing ride Arlington Park’s 2011 meet was! I was enthralled by the horses, the action, and the people. Chicago racing returned to top form this year with full, quality fields not only in the stakes races but in the normal race day schedule as well. The track also provided value to its customers with excellent payouts (which I will detail out below including my friend Travis’ 35-1 score on closing day) and promotions.
Let’s dive into the recap of the Arlington 2011 meet.
Again, Arlington did not disappoint in their quest to draw world-class horses to their graded stakes races this year. Not only were we blessed with the presence of my favorite horse Gio Ponti (whom I hope I get to visit some time) but also:
• Cape Blanco, Stacelita
• Willcox Inn first won the Arlington Classic by 2 ½ lengths and then was quite impressive with a 4-length victory in the American Derby on July 9th giving Mike Stidham two in a row for that Grade 2 stake as well as making a bid for the Mid-America Triple.
• Tajaaweed closed in from behind and took over in the stretch to win the Arlington Handicap on Million preview day.
• Pachattack was much the best by 6 lengths in the Arlington Matron Handicap (and second in the Personal Ensign at Saratoga.)
• Devil By Design used a stalking trip to score in the Chicago Handicap.
• Workin For Hops returned to Chicago to take another stakes victory, this time in the Hanshin.
• Finally, how can we forget the new stakes record set by Fantasia in the Modesty Handicap?
Other local favorites that I also enjoyed watching this summer included Tazz, Helicopter, Pirates Vow
In a tight race to the finish Larry Rivelli took home the training title this summer with 39 wins; two ahead of Scott Becker
In my first ever visit to morning workouts, a jockey named James Graham noticed that Chris Szulc, my best friend Jason Katz, and I were STILL on the rail as he passed by on one horse after another. He quipped at us “are you still here?” That very jockey ended up winning the riding title this summer with a total of 82 victories. Jozbin Santana
My second blog post ever was regarding the early value and returns that Arlington offered. I’m proud to say that the value carried all the way through the entire season. Check out these average payouts (certainly no chalk factories here)!
• Win - $12.36
• Double - $109.18
• Exacta - $86.36
• Trifecta - $158.32 (50 cent)
• Superfecta - $208.33 (10 cent)
• Pick 4 - $1443.04 (50 cent)
Whoa, right? Horses that left the gate between 7/2 and 9/1 won an astounding 32.6% of the time!
All of this pales in comparison to the people that I have been able to meet and connect with this season. I first just want to say thanks to the opportunity afforded to me by Brian Zipse and Dave Zenner!! My first season as a credentialed press member in Chicago was the most amazing experience ever. While I have been a fan of racing for some time this is the closest I have ever been to the action and have enjoyed every minute of it.
I have also made some new Chicago-based racing friends and acquaintances that I will be able to talk racing with and enjoy races with forever. These folks include Stats Master E (Eric Slora), Chris Szulc of Horizon Racing, Robert Potter, Tom Dubrick, Joe Kristufek, Brian W. Spencer, Janine Starykowicz, Jim Miller, MJ McLaughlin, Dahlia Fazioli, Jennifer Wirth-Ice, and fellow Minnesotan Dave Miller. It’s been a pleasure to meet and hang out with you all!
For anyone that visits Arlington Park, you are familiar with that final song as you leave the track for the day; Happy Trails. Well as we ride off into the Arlington Heights sunset for the season, let us not forget that there is still racing in Chicago! Hawthorne’s fall meet begins on 10/1/11 and I, the Chicago Dark Horse, will be covering the fall and spring meets. I’ve actually never been to or wagered at Hawthorne and I am completely looking forward to this new experience.
So with that we bid Arlington adieu, and say hello to Hawthorne.
What were your favorite memories of this year’s Arlington meet?
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