Beverly D. Winner Dank In Foal to Galileo
Considered to be one of the most impressive winners in the history of the Grade I Beverly D., James Wigan’s Dank has been reported in foal to the great Galileo. In 2013, the daughter of Dansili swept to a powerful 4¼ length win in the turf filly and mare feature, defeating the likes of Grade/Group I winners Marketing Mix, Duntle and La Tia. Under Ryan Moore once again one start later at Santa Anita, the bay filly was once again victorious when taking the Grade I $2,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. The two wins easily earned her the Eclipse Award for champion turf filly or mare.
In 15 starts, Dank had seven wins and nearly $2.5 million in earnings. Raced in four countries by trainer Sir Michael Stoute, she closed her career out with a wide fourth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup in 2014, her first run in five months. Galileo, considered by many as the top stallion in the world, currently has 24 stakes winners in 2015 to lead the globe in that category. By comparison, he is followed by Dubawi (21),Shamardal (20), Medaglia d’Oro (19) and Tapit (15) in that category.
Dank, who is still owned by breeder James Wigan, resides at his West Blagdon Stud – just southwest of Salisbury, England – and is expected to deliver her foal on Feb. 28.
SAINT LEON, HOGY, BET SEATTLE CLASH IN THURSDAY FEATURE
One would be hard-pressed to find a better non-stakes feature race in the country on Thursday, Aug. 19, than the seventh race at Arlington International Racecourse. Multiple stakes winners Saint Leon, Hogy, and Bet Seattle clash in a 5½-furlong turf allowance optional claiming event within a field that drew nine competitors, including one main track only entrant.
Margaret Burlingham’s 10-year-old speed demon Saint Leon returns to Arlington once again and will received the services of regular rider E. T. Baird from post seven. A three-time winner of the Arlington Sprint over this trip, the son of Stravinsky breaks from post seven and exits a win over the dirt in a rained-off five-furlong allowance at Indiana Grand on July 16. Such was his 17th victory from 41 starts.
One of those victories was a thrilling battle with old rival Hogy, from the barn of Scott Becker and 2014 leading owner William Stiritz. The neary jet-black son of Offlee Wild fought Saint Leon the length of the Chicagoland oval’s stretch in the 2013 Arlington Sprint, only to fall just short. A smart allowance victory in June and subsequent third-place finish in the Grade III $100,000 Hanshin Cup last out make the gritty 6-year-old a major player here when he breaks from post six under Chris Emigh.
Easy to spot, the emblazoned face of owner-trainer Hugh Robertson’s Bet Seattle will once again grace Arlington with its flashy presence after going 2-for-2 at track in 2014. One of those victories was a sharp defeat of Saint Leon over the main Polytrack surface, but the 6-year-old son of Seattle Fitz will have to prove he is still as affective over the grass as he’s been this year over the dirt – including a victory in February’s $60,000 Duncan F. Kenner Stakes at Fair Grounds. Florent Geroux picks up the mount from post two.
Morning-line favoritism has been assigned to Mongolian Stable’s Enebish Ganbat-trained Mongolian Saturday. A feisty and often difficult to handle son of Any Given Saturday, Mongolian Saturday has started to mature in 2015 – his 5-year-old season – and placed in two consecutive stakes in his last two trips to the post, including the Grade III $200,000 Parx Dash Handicap on July 11. Santo Sanjur rides from post three.
Twice graded stakes-placed, Mongol Bull was third in the Parx Dash for owner-trainer Bradlee Rainwater. Previously in the barn of Ganbat, the son of Hard Spun has started to flourish over the last year, including a second to Group I-winning Breeders’ Cup runner-up No Nay Never in the Group III Woodford Stakes at Keeneland last fall over this trip. The diminutive late runner will break from post four under Edgar Perez.
Arguably one of the fastest horses seen at Arlington over the last two seasons, William Stiritz’s Card will offer a swift compliment to his late-running stablemate Hogy. Unraced since finishing off the board in stakes company last November, he reeled off three consecutive allowance victories last summer at Arlington, leaving runners like Saint Leon and stakes winners Tazz, El Seventyseven and Sweet Luca in his wake. Victor Santiago rides from post five.
The remainder of the field is comprised of Wild Mongolia (Constantino Roman, rail), Svetik (Julio Felix, post eight) and He’saruler (Mitchell Murrill, post nine, main track only).
WORK TAB
Lothenbach Stables’ homebred Nun the Less, who skipped the Grade I $450,000 Secretariat Stakes on Saturday, worked a bullet five furlongs in 1:01 flat for Chris Block on Monday. He is possible for the $200,000 Mystic Lake Derby at Canterbury Park next week.
William Stiritz’s Shogood worked a solid half-mile in :49.80 in preparation for Saturday’s Grade III $100,000 Arlington-Washington Futurity on Tuesday. The Scott Becker trainee is expected to be second-choice in the field.
The regally bred Eoin Harty duo of Godolphin Racing’s Pomodoro and Casner Racing’s Latte Da worked a smart bullet five furlongs on Tuesday together in :59.80.
Talented multiple stakes-winning older horse I Got It All worked five furlongs in 1:02.40 for owner-trainer Tom Swearingen on Wednesdaymorning.
Source: Arlington Park