The grade III Arlington Handicap, a mile and a quarter prep race for the Arlington Million next month, has drawn a spectacular field of eleven older turf males.
The morning line favorite is last year's winner Just as Well, who used the race as his prep for the Arlington Million. In the Million, he finished second to Gio Ponti, and rarely runs a bad race. I think that he can repeat here.
General Quarters, the second choice on the morning line and the current betting favorite, won the grade I Turf Classic Stakes on the turf in early May and came back to finish second in the grade I Stephen Foster Handicap on dirt, so he is very versatile and should be a contender here. However, the temperature at Arlington is 93 degrees, and General Quarters does not run well on hot days.
Marsh Side is a grade I winner as well, having won the 2009 Northern Dancer Stakes and 2008 Canadian International, and should be in the mix.
Rahystrada comes into the race off of a third in the grade II Dixie Stakes behind Strike a Deal and Just as Well.
Free Fighter won the mile and a half grade III Louisville Handicap, but comes into today's race off of a six place finish in the Black Tie Affair Handicap at a mile and a sixteenth. However, he was only beaten three and a quarter lengths. He could be a major contender here if things set up right.
Giant Oak could also fire a big one, coming into the race off of a sharp fourth in the Stephen Foster Handicap, and has shown good form before. However, he is very inconsistent, and you never know when he is going to run well. But he does have a win over this track, having won the Arlington Classic Stakes last year.
Imponente Purse, Cross Village, Rumor Has It, Princeville Condo, and Tajaaweed complete the field.
Here are my picks. . .
1 Just as Well
2 Marsh Side
3 Rahystrada
4 Tajaaweed
5 Giant Oak
6 General Quarters
7 Free Fighter
8 Cross Village
9 Rumor Has It
10 Princeville Condo
11 Imponente Purse
-Keelerman
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