Kasaqui impresses in the Arlington Handicap

Wimborne Farm’s Kasaqui (ARG) proved much the best for trainer Ignacio Correas, IV as he won the 81^st running of the Grade III $125,000 Arlington Handicap at Arlington International Racecourse on July 9 and punched his ticket to the Grade I $1,000,000 Arlington Million. The 6-year-old son of Lasting Approval sat just off the leaders through the opening six furlongs, was guided outside on the turn by jockey Robby Albarado then made the lead entering the stretch and cleared the field under mild urging to win by 1¼ lengths in a final time of 1:55.62 for the 1 3/16 miles on the turf.

 

“That was our plan to get a target in front of us,” Albarado said. “He finished up well last time on the lead, but he’s better with a target.”

 

“Nobody wanted the lead [in the Wise Dan], so we got it that day,” winning trainer Correas commented. “The plan today was for Robby to get him something to chase. The horse and Robby did perfect. Great plan. He gets a little bit bored on the lead.”

 

Second place went to Three Diamonds Farm’s Roman Approval. The Mike Maker-trainee put pressure on the front-running and eventual fourth place finisher Go Around through opening fractions of 24.90, 50.15, 1:14.52, and 1:38.78. Corey Lanerie was able to keep his mount steady through the final quarter mile to hold a one-length edge over third-place finisher Messi (GER).

 

“[We had a] perfect trip sitting second; [Kasaqui] had a little more than me,” Lanerie said. “I thought he would be forwardly placed.  Actually, I thought the winner would be in front of me, but I don't know what happened.  He chose to sit right off of me, and it worked for him.”

 

Gestut Brummerhof’s Graham Motion trainee Messi was last early but steadily made up ground on the backstretch. Jockey Jose Valdivia, Jr. urged his mount coming out of the turn but only received a mild rally.

 

“He went to lugging in down the lane,” Valdivia said. “I thought we had a dream run with him, and the seas opened up for me passing the half-mile pole. Take nothing away from that winner – when Robby pushed on the gas, he was gone.”

 

As the betting favorite Kasaqui returned mutuels of $8.40, $4.60 and $4. Roman Approval paid $4.60 and $3.80, while Messi returned $3.40. Bred by San Francisco de Pilar, Kasaqui is out of the Alysheba mare Kemosheba. This was his first win in a graded stakes. With the $72,000 winner’s share of the purse, Kasaqui increased his career earnings to $196,434 with five wins from 19 lifetime starts.

 

Go Around, R. Great Adventure, Five Green Stars, Peej, Quiet Force, and Pyjama Party completed the order of finish. The top three finishers earned an automatic berth to the Arlington International Festival of Racing’s Grade I Arlington Million on Aug. 13 with entry and starting fees waived.