Festival Runners Make Future Plans

All In Stable’s Willcox Inn, winner of the prestigious Arlington Classic and Grade II American Derby in Chicago earlier this summer but fourth in Saturday’s Grade I Secretariat Stakes, came out of his race in good order, as did his stable mate Upperline, owned by Stone Farm, John Adger, Oak Crest Farm and Mike Stidham, who finished fifth in Saturday’s Grade I Beverly D.

“They both came out of their races well and both look good this morning,” said their trainer Mike Stidham.  “We don’t have any definite plans for either of them right now.  We’ll be looking at a few different spots.

“Maybe something in New York for Willcox Inn, or maybe the (Grade III) Kent at Delaware Park,” said Stidham.  “As for Upperline, we’ll probably look for something at Keeneland for her.”

Christophe Clement-trained runners Gio Ponti, owned by Castleton Lyons and second in Saturday’s Arlington Million, as well as Robert Scarborough’s Cheetah, ninth in Saturday’s Beverly D., both left Arlington Park before daylight Sunday morning, as did Augustin Stable’s Fantasia, fourth in the Beverly D.

BEVERLY D. WINNER STACELITA RETURNING TO NEW YORK MONDAY

Martin Schwartz’s French-bred Stacelita, heroine of Saturday’s Grade I Beverly D. Stakes as part of Arlington’s International Festival of Racing, will leave Chicago by van “first thing Monday morning,” her trainer Chad Brown indicated Sunday.

“She came out of her race well,” said Brown.  “We don’t have any definite plans for her right now.  We might consider the (Grade I) Flower Bowl (Invitational at Belmont Oct. 1) for her next start, but that would depend on how she’s training.  We’d also consider the (Grade I) Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Nov. 4) as a long range goal.”