Arlington Trip Notes and Horses to Watch (August 30 – September 2)

The following are trip notes for horses who had tough trips the week of August 30 – September 2 at Arlington Park, and/or who figure to improve in their next races. Add these runners to your horses to watch list, and bet them back next time out if they land in a reasonable spot. Racing for the week of August 30 – September 2 at Arlington was run under very nice weather conditions. The turf was good on Friday, August 23, but then dried out and was labeled firm the rest of the week. Both the main track (Polytrack) and the turf course played fairly throughout the Labor Day weekend. The horses listed below exit races run at Arlington during the week of August 30 – September 2, and all of them have good chances to run well, outrun their odds, and/or win in their subsequent starts. Arlington Trip Notes (August 30 – September 2) ARTISTIC JEWLER: First starter from low-profile connections outran 10-1 odds for third, just missing second to the odds-on favorite by a neck. Don’t overlook. CANARY ISLAND: Showed big improvement on the turf, getting out to a big lead on a solid pace and holding on for second against a solid maiden bunch. Late interference didn’t change the order of finish. Don’t ignore anymore. CANIHAVITLIKETHAT: Got creamed by a monster Rivelli two-year-old lone speed winner, but overcame a slow start to be best of the rest and can beat typical maiden claimers. FASCILITATOR: Got KO’d in an eight-length-gap duel in a race dominated by a 1-5 favorite. Beat the early challenger but finished fifth. Too early to give up on him. GRADE ONE: Ducked in from the rail out of the gate and recovered to run fourth but beaten just two lengths in comeback race off a year layoff. Will be ready in second off the layoff. I LOVE TO RACE: Flying late for second in a turf sprint behind a well-meant, well-bred wire-to-wire debut winner. Missed by a neck and is ready to graduate. ITS MY BAG BABY: Well-bet first starter for Catalano ran big for second in-between two Godolphin horses. Prepped and ready to graduate on the grass. JUAN PABLO: Closed in deep stretch like he was shot out of a cannon and was unlucky to nose by a nose. Looks good back vs. similar. NORTHERN ALLIANCE: Got hooked in a four-length-gap speed duel and couldn’t go all the way. Finished off the board but can shake loose up front and rebound. SHAKURR: Rallied late between horses for second at 5F versus a tough field, and should win if able to find a 5 1/2F or 6F spot before the end of the meet. SKY FREAK: Late-running second behind a rival’s dominant performance at 6 1/2F. Hopefully the turf and route experiments are over because this filly will be successful as a closing one-turn horse at 7F or 1 mile. VACATION LOVER: Bumped soundly when chasing early, then lost ground wide on the turns before passing horses for third, just a neck out of second. Try again. PHOTO: Arlington Park (c) Coady Photography/Arlington Park