Christian C. wins Black Tie Affair on Polytrack

Christian C. might prefer turf to Polytrack, but he was good enough on the latter to win the $53,750 Black Tie Affair Handicap on Saturday at Arlington.

Dreamofjean E. led wire to wire in the day’s other stakes, the $57,925 Mike Spellman Memorial Handicap.

Both races were carded for turf but run on Arlington’s Polytrack surface because of a wet course. Christian C. had won a Polytrack sprint last year at Arlington, but all his best previous races had been on turf, and Christian C. was coming off a distant seventh-place finish over Arlington Polytrack in the Hanshin Cup.

Granted, Christian C. was making his first start after a winter break, and the Hanshin is a Grade 3 race. Christian C. dropped into Illinois-bred competition in the Black Tie Affair and won comfortably, sitting in second behind Don’task Don’tell’s pace, taking control in midstretch, and going on to a 2 1/4-lengh win over Memory Bank.

Cammack, the 125-pound highweight, finished third. Christian C. carried 117 pounds, ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.55, and paid $5.80 to win as the favorite.

Wayne Catalano trains Christian C. for owners Don and Joe Cochonour. Christian C., who won for the fifth time in 12 starts, is a son of Kitalpha and Elle Belle, by El Prado.

While Christian C. won despite being rained off turf, Dreamofjean E. probably won because of it. On turf, Dreamofjean E. would have been hard pressed to contend with Prado’s Sweet Ride, Lovely Loyree, and One Liz, but Lovely Loyree and Goddess of Kip were scratched, leaving just five runners, and Dreamofjean E. made an easy lead from the rail. Jockey Chris Emigh controlled a very modest tempo while keeping his mount in the clear for the first half of the race. One Liz tried to run with Dreamofjean E., but she threw down a 23/21-second third quarter-mile, spurted clear, and never was threatened.

Dreamofjean E. ($12) carried 118 pounds, six fewer than highweight Prado’s Sweet Ride, who made no strong impression racing on the main track and checked in third, five lengths behind runner-up One Liz.

Larry Rivelli trains Dreamofjean E. for Richard Ravin, her breeder, and Vince Foglia’s Patricia’s Hope. The 7-year-old mare, a fixture in starter-allowance races, has put together an impressive 13-9-4 record from 30 starts.