Upperline Seeks More Graded Cash in Modesty
Stone Farm, John Adger, Oak Crest Farm & Mike
Stidham's Arlington Matron winner Upperline looks to become the first
horse since Belle of Cozzene in 1996 to win both the Matron and Grade
III $200,000 Modesty Handicap in the same season as she heads a solid
field of eight distaffers entered Saturday's mile and three-sixteenths
grass test.
The Modesty serves as the final local prep for the Grade I $750,000
Beverly D., which will be held Aug. 18, and is one of four major stakes
that comprise the track's Million Preview Day program. In addition to
the Modesty, the 12-race card includes the Grade III $200,000 American
Derby, the Grade III $200,000 Arlington Handicap and the Grade III
$150,000 Stars and Stripes. As an added bonus, the 1-2-3 finishers in
the Modesty will have their entry and starting fees waived for the
Beverly D. should they elect to run in that event next month.
A 5-year-old Maria's Mon mare, Upperline is equally adept on both
turf and synthetic surfaces, capturing the Matron over Arlington's
Polytrack on May 26 exactly one month to the day after winning
Keeneland's grassy Grade III Bewitch Stakes. In her most recent post,
the Mike Stidham trainee finished a good second, beaten only a nose by
Stars to Shine, in the $100,000 Trillium Stakes at Woodbine Race Course
near Toronto. James Graham has been named to ride the 121-pound
starting highweight who will spot her rivals one to seven pounds.
Catesby Clay's Bizzy Caroline invades off a winning effort in the
Grade III Mint Julep Handicap at Churchill Downs on June 2. The
daughter of Afleet Alex is seven for 10 in the money on turf for trainer
Ken McPeek. Manoel Cruz has the call aboard the 120-pound second
highweight.
Frank Calabrese's Romacaca returns to Arlington where she is four for
six lifetime. Fourth in the Grade III Violet Stakes at Monmouth last
time out, the 6-year-old daughter of Running Stag won the Grade III
Matchmaker at the Jersey Shore oval in 2011. Locally trained by Danny
Miller, she has been turning in strong drills in preparation for the
Modesty where she will shoulder 119 pounds including leading rider
Francisco Torres.
Also in at 119 pounds is Barbara Hunter's multiple graded stakes
winner Snow Top Mountain, who took the Grade III All Along Stakes at
Colonial Downs last out on June 16. The 5-year-old Najran mare, trained
by Tom Proctor, previously captured the Grade III Suwannee River at
Gulfstream in February. Julien Leparoux will be in from his New York
homebase to ride.
Robert Zoellner's She's All In, heroine of the Grade III Sixty Sails
Handicap on dirt at Hawthorne Race Course in April, returns to the turf
course for the first time since winning the $100,000 River Cities Stakes
at Louisiana Downs last September. Trained by Donnie K. Von Hemel, the
daughter of Include turned in a visually impressive drill over the
local lawn last week. Luiz Quinonez will be in to ride She's All In,
who has been assigned 116 pounds for Saturday's engagement.
Others in the field for the Modesty (with jockey and weight assignment) are: Stronach Stables' Smart Sting (Joel Rosario, 117), winner of the Grade III Selene Stakes at Woodbine last fall; S. D. Brilie Partnership's Pathway (Seth Martinez, 115), an allowance winner here two weeks ago; and Jean & Ted Barlas and Mike Porcaro's Trac N Jam (Corey Lanerie, 114), winner of the 2011 Indiana Distaff at Indiana Downs.