Arklow tries to rebound in Hall of Fame Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Arklow, the winner of the Grade 2 American Turf at Churchill Downs in May, tops a field of nine 3-year-olds for Friday’s Grade 2 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes.

Arklow rallied to a one-length victory over Good Samaritan in the American Turf, a performance obviously flattered on Saturday when Good Samaritan upset the Grade 2 Jim Dandy here. Trained by Brad Cox, Arklow will attempt to rebound from an 11th-place finish in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby. Florent Geroux will be aboard for the first time.

The Hall of Fame, at 1 1/16 miles on turf, lured a well-matched field that also includes stakes winners Big Handsome (Javier Castellano to ride), Bonus Points (Kendrick Carmouche), Bricks and Mortar (Joel Rosario), Secretary at War (John Velazquez), and Yoshida (Irad Ortiz Jr.). Makarios (Luis Saez), Parlor (Julien Leparoux), and Snap Decision (Jose Ortiz) complete the lineup for turf. Caviar Czar was entered for the main track only.

Snap Decision blew out for the Hall of Fame over the Oklahoma turf course in 49.34 around the dogs for trainer Shug McGaughey on Monday. Snap Decision is coming off a 1 1/2-length allowance victory at Belmont four weeks ago. The Hall of Fame will mark his second foray into stakes competition. He finished a late-running third after being bumped at the start of the Grade 3 Palm Beach last winter at Gulfstream Park.

“He’s trained very well since he won, and I thought he worked really well this morning,” said McGaughey. “I think he was a little unlucky in a couple of his earlier races. I also believe what he really wants to do is run further than he’s been running. This is the next logical step for him, and if he runs decent, which I think he will, we’ll look at the Saranac, which is at 1 1/8 miles and should suit him better.”

McGaughey will also be busy on Saturday, with Apple Betty targeting the Grade 3 Waya and Grade 2 winner On Leave going in the De La Rose. On Leave also breezed here Monday, a very easy half-mile on turf in 52.03.

Apple Betty led throughout under John Velazquez to win the 12-furlong River Memories on July 9 after being outrun against Grade 2 company in her two previous starts for McGaughey.

“A mile and one-half is what she wants to do – she’s just a galloper,” said McGaughey. “I made a mistake the first couple of times I ran her, trying to rate her. I told Johnny before her last start to just let her run, and he said, ‘I was hoping that’s what you were going to say,’ and it worked out fine.”