Block duo meets again in Black Tie Affair

DRF Formulator reveals that trainer Chris Block is a potent 3 for 7 with a high $4.74 return on investment with horses switching from synthetic to turf and from sprints to routes. That trainer angle comes into play for Saturday’s Black Tie Affair Handicap, one of two $50,000 turf stakes for Illinois-breds on the card at Arlington Park.

The problem is deciding which Block-trained horse to select. Two of the three uncoupled runners Block has entered in the 1 1/16-mile Black Tie Affair, Sweet Luca and Sir Applesolutely, are changing surfaces and distances. They also split a pair of close decisions last summer.

The simple answer might be to rely on jockey Eddie Perez. He was aboard Sir Applesolutely for his most recent win at 17-1 last August, a race in which Sweet Luca finished third. Nevertheless, Perez has elected to ride Sweet Luca, who comes back just a week after surging from 11 lengths behind to lose by just a length in a six-furlong restricted stakes on Polytrack.

The co-featured Mike Spellman Memorial Handicap for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles is topped by Kentucky shipper Cabana, who went 2 for 2 in Illinois-bred races last season; Tapnfire, who beat open-company first-level allowance runners in her first start for new owner and trainer Louie Roussel less than three weeks ago; and the Block-trained Be Playful, who faces statebreds after back-to-back wins in June and July.

Black Tie Affair, Race 7

KEY CONTENDERS

Sweet Luca (Last 3 Beyers: 84-84-75)

The last time this 6-year-old went from Polytrack to turf while stretching out, he got up by a head over fellow Black Tie Affair entrant Super Soldier. This time, however, he’s coming back quickly, and Block is 0 for 5 with horses back in fewer than 14 days while changing surfaces and distance.

Sir Applesolutely (Last 3 Beyers: 69-94-95)

Has made just one start since last August and doesn’t show a race longer than a mile in his last 12 starts dating back to September 2013. He did win with a 94 Beyer Speed Figure last August, however, while switching surfaces and moving from six furlongs to a mile.

Super Soldier (Last 3 Beyers: 76-93-92)

Has been idle since January but won against statebreds following a layoff of 9 1/2 months last year. Owns a good 4-for-7 record on Arlington’s turf course.

Ultimo Trago (Last 3 Beyers: 86-92-82)

Has run two good races since he was claimed for $40,000 in March. Four of his seven wins on grass have come at Arlington.

Yankee Dealer (Last 3 Beyers: 84-90-84)

Finished a half-length in front of Sweet Luca in last fall’s Bucks Boy Handicap, his last try against statebreds. Takes a distinct class drop from Grade 3 stakes and cuts back to a distance he prefers for the second start of his form cycle.

Mike Spellman Memorial, Race 6

KEY CONTENDERS

Cabana (Last 3 Beyers: 93-88-80)

Returns to turf after winning a six-figure stakes in the slop at Indiana Grand and a high-priced optional claimer taken off the turf at Churchill Downs. Daylight winner in two starts vs. statebreds at Arlington last year.

Be Playful (Last 3 Beyers: 83-86-76)

In sharp form in three starts since returning to Arlington in May. First or second in seven of nine lifetime starts on grass.

Tapnfire (Last 3 Beyers: 80-84-66)

Rallied from 10 lengths behind to score a daylight win in her first start for new connections, although Roussel is 0 for 7 with last-out winners back in fewer than 21 days in turf routes. Beat statebreds by combined 7 1/4 lengths in her last two starts in restricted company.