Chicago BC Handicap preview

Saturday, June 16, 2007
Arlington Park - Race 9
7 Furlongs (Polytrack)
Chicago Breeders' Cup Handicap (Grade 3)
3-year-olds and upward, fillies and mares
Purse $175,000.

VICTORINA never seemed comfortable when the beaten favorite in the Grade 2 Distaff BC Handicap at Aqueduct as she broke outward, and was hard-ridden for most of the way, but her previous races look solid, and she may appreciate the more forgiving synthetic surface at Arlington. She has good tactical speed, and may find a nice stalking spot behind the pacesetters. She's been given plenty of time to recover from the poor effort, and her last two workouts look fast.
TRENDY LADY showed some promise last year when multiple stakes-placed going two turns in New York, and Todd Pletcher gave her a pair of confidence-building wins at Gulfstream before the recent layoff. She has good tactical speed, and may attempt to gain first run on probable pacesetter LADY BELSARA while racing in the clear. TRICK'S PIC makes the third start of the year with improving Beyers on the page, and her turf lines may translate well to the synthetic surface. She may end up in a good pace-tracking spot while saving ground, and she has extensive Polytrack experience (homebase is at Keeneland for Pat Biancone).
CUABA shows a bullet workout in preparation for this, and 7 furlongs may be the perfect distance for this daughter of Smoke Glacken (owns wins between 6 furlongs and 1 1/16 miles). There should be plenty of pace for her to attack in the stretch.

Selections:
1. Victorina
2. Trendy Lady
3. Trick's Pic