British Invasion Begins at Arlington Park
Six stakes-caliber horses from the Newmarket yard of British trainer Gerard Butler arrived at Arlington Park Sunday morning to compete at the northwest Chicago oval’s 86-day 2011 season which runs through September 25.
Heading the six-pack of English equine imports was Michael Deegan’s Pachattack, who finished sixth in last season’s Grade I Beverly D. Stakes after being compromised by a tardy break from the gate. Also included on Sunday’s shipment was Mid-America Triple prospect Burj Alzain, owned by Mr. Asaad Al Banwan, Deegan’s filly Maristar and T. C. Stewart’s filly Akhmatova, both possibilities for the Grade III Arlington Matron over the Polytrack as well as this summer’s Grade III Modesty Handicap July 9 and $750,000 Beverly D. over Arlington’s turf course August 13.
Erik Penser’s Beauchamp Viceroy and Mark Johnston’s Joe Le Taxi, both prospects for Arlington’s Grade III Hanshin Cup over the Polytrack May 21, complete Butler’s half-dozen.
“All the horses arrived safely,” said Butler’s assistant Andrew Morris during training hours Sunday morning. “That’s the main thing. We’re all okay and everything is good. We cleared quarantine in New York before coming on to Chicago, so I would think we’ll be going to the track in the next day or two. Gerard didn’t come in with us but he will be back and forth all summer when the horses make their starts.”
Morris, originally from Yorkshire but now a Newmarket resident, has been with Butler for eight years and will supervise the day-to-day operations of the local Butler contingent