Liking a longshot Double in Arlington Matron and Classic

Saturday's co-features at Arlington, the Arlington Matron (G3) and Arlington Classic (G3), are linked by a Double that appears to be an enticing wagering proposition as the favorites in both legs seem vulnerable in my eyes.

In the Matron, Brooklynsway could go favored off her win against I'm a Chatterbox and Ahh Chocolate in the Doubledogdare (G3) two back, and she's also a proven talent over Polytrack. However, the Canadian-bred has not found nine furlongs to her liking in the past.

No Fault of Mine is certainly hard to fault. The lightly-raced four-year-old is two-for-two on the Arlington main track and has demonstrated sufficient class over a couple of season of racing to prove capable of winning this.

Rather than that pair, I'll use Flipcup (#1, 8-1 ML) and Zubi Zubi Zu (#9, 20-1 ML). Flipcup has been an ordinary performer against New York-bred company on dirt, but is a relative powerhouse on Polytrack (6-4-1-1). That was never more evident than in the Maple Leaf (G3) at Woodbine last October, when she rallied to win the 10-furlong test going away by two lengths. She hasn't been out since December, but the conditions should suit after a steady stream of works for Bill Mott.

Zubi Zubi Zu is admittedly more of a flyer. She's won over this track in the past for Mike Stidham, who's firing on all cylinders to start the meet. Off since February, she's had an appealing string of works over the past month at Keeneland and Arlington, punctuated by a quick five-furlong move on May 22. Though she's lacking a bit of class on paper, the five-year-old mare is flying well below the radar coming in.

The addition of blinkers might help Classic favorite Surgical Strike stay in closer proximity to the leaders. Attempting to rally from too far back worked against him in the American Turf (G2) on Kentucky Derby Day, though he still ran a fine third.

In the event the change of equipment doesn't produce the desired result, I can see Swagger Jagger (#11, 10-1 ML) getting back to his best form here. After not showing much in three starts on synthetic surfaces earlier this year, he finally returns to his surface of preference for trainer Mike Maker. Third in his first start on turf at Saratoga last summer, the Florida-bred later shipped to Miami to win twice on the lawn at Gulfstream Park West, including the $75,000 Pulpit over future Grade 3 scorer Life Imitates Art.

This Double only costs $2 per unit, but I'll be playing it multiple times and hoping my concerns about the favorites are prescient.

(Leslie Martin/Adam Coglianese Photography)