Futurity Winner Shogood Aims to Bigger Prizes
William Stiritz’s Shogood has exited his victory in the Grade III $100,000 Arlington-Washington Futurity on Saturday in top shape, according to trainer Scott Becker. The son of Nobiz Like Shobiz was a stylish winner of the season’s top juvenile event when going gate-to-wire under veteran jockey Chris Emigh.
“So far, Shogood,” Becker quipped on Sunday morning. “He’s just done everything we’ve asked and has a good mind on him. He’s a mature colt and he saves his energy. As I’ve said before, he often naps before the race. He’s easy to train.”
Becker indicated that since the Illinois-bred is not nominated to the Breeders’ Cup, he is not likely to go. Instead, there are other rich races on the horizon.
“I am looking at the (Grade III $1,000,000) Delta Jackpot down the line for him,” he said. “That’s a long way off, but it’s an idea. I watched him work (on the dirt) at Fairmont (Park) and he worked awfully good on it. I don’t think that will be an issue, but you never know. (Going two turns) is something you have to train him toward, but I don’t think it will be a problem with him.”
MONTANA KID WINS AFTER THREE-YEAR LAYOFF
In one of the most impressive training feats in recent memory, conditioner Chris Block brought Montana Kid back from a layoff dating to Sept. 22, 2012 to win by a nose in Saturday’s fifth race under jockey Jerome Lermyte. A son of Empire Maker, the 6-year-old horse had a promising beginning to his career, including finishing fourth on debut behind Grade I Arlington Million winner The Pizza Manand reeling off four victories in his next six starts – including a photo-finish defeat of recent Black Tie Affair Handicap winner Yankee Dealer.
“It’s a tribute to the farms he rehabilitated at and the horse himself,” Block explained. “He had tendon issues in both of his front legs and it got to the point where we couldn’t keep him going. We decided to stop and see where it took us – and it took us to three years later.
“We took our time bringing him back,” he continued. “He did a lot of work at the farm in Ocala and was on the Aqua-Tread a lot, which helped him get somewhat fit. We took it day to day and work by work and kept him healthy and sound. When I brought him to the track I knew I had to push him a little harder, but again we took it work by work until he was ready. Once that happened, I didn’t know where to place him. We picked Saturday’s spot. I thought I had him pretty fit and it ended up working out well and he had enough class to overcome being wide.”
Montana Kid was claimed for $8,000 afterward in a two-way shake by leading trainer Larry Rivelli on behalf of leading owner Patricia’s Hope.
“Larry decided to get him and that’s okay – that’s a part of racing and his operation,” Block continued. “You hate to work for all that just to lose him, but that’s how it is sometimes.”
NO FAULT OF MINE APPROACHING LONG-AWAITED 3-YEAR-OLD DEBUT
Lothenbach Stables’ homebred No Fault of Mine is training forwardly for Chris Block as the daughter of Blame approaches her long-awaited seasonal debut. A flashy winner at first asking last September when taking a seven-furlong maiden special weight by 4½ lengths, she has not been seen racing since a follow-up second in the Grade II $200,000 Golden Rod Stakes in November.
“So far, so good with her,” Block said. “She’s doing as well as she can to get ready off the layoff. She probably needs at least three more works and I’ve been pleased with the way she is coming back so far. We’ll try to find a spot at Arlington on the Poly before we go south to Kentucky for the fall.
“She ran a couple times, showed talent, got injured and now we are beginning the rest of her career,” Block continued. “It looks like she might do anything surface-wise, but we’ll likely to start her on the Poly. I wouldn’t be afraid to put her on the dirt or even grass.”
No Fault of Mine is out of the Flatter mare Single Solution, who herself was a graded stakes winner on the grass when taking the Grade III Valley View Stakes at Keeneland. Single Solution is also a half-sister to top turf mare Vacare, who won the Grade I Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup at that same course for Block.
WORK TAB
Top turf sprint filly Katie’s Eyes continued her march toward the Breeders’ Cup with a half-mile move in :48.60 for trainer Mike Stidham and owners Ike and Dawn Thrash and Sam and Janet Alley. The daughter of Leroidesanimaux exits a heartbreaking neck loss against the boys in the Grade II $200,000 Highlander Stakes at Woodbine.
Graded stakes-placed turf filly Lots o’ Lex returned to the track for the first time since being scratched in the paddock of the Grade I $700,000 Beverly D. on Sunday morning, working five furlongs in 1:03 flat for trainer Gerry Aschinger and owner Lisa Lex.
Olly Tait’s homebred 2-year-old The Zip Zip Man worked five furlongs in 1:01 flat for trainer Mike Stidham. The son of City Zip who defeated subsequent Grade III $100,000 Arlington-Washington Futurity winner Shogood at first asking exits a second-place finish in his second outing in the Listed $125,000 Colin Stakes at Woodbine. The chestnut charge is likely to return to Woodbine next for the Grade II $200,000 Summer Stakes over a one-turn mile on the grass. Said event is a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ race for the Grade I $1,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
Lothenbach Stables’ Nun the Less put the final touches on his preparation for the $200,000 Mystic Lake Derby next weekend at Canterbury Park with a five-furlong work in 1:01.60 for trainer Chris Block.
Carolyn Friendberg and Jeff Larson’s Inconclusive continued working well toward her date with the Listed $75,000 Arlington-Washington Lassie next weekend with a half-mile move in :50.40 for trainer Richie Scherer.
Stakes-winning 3-year-old filly Happy to Go, who exits a fourth in stakes company at Presque Isle Downs last out, worked a half-mile in :49 flat for trainer Armando De La Cerda and owner Raul Bahena.
Source: Arlington Park