A Preview Day that deserves the name

CHICAGO - Arlington's Million Preview Day may come closer to living up to its name this season. The three Saturday stakes here should be strong races, and some horses headed to the Modesty and the Arlington Handicaps are legitimate hopefuls for Grade 1 races on the Aug. 17 Arlington Million card.

That's a change from last year, when Million Preview Day had little bearing on Million Day. The Round Table Stakes, for 3-year-olds at nine furlongs on dirt, still has no real connection to the Grade 1 Secretariat, since the Secretariat is on turf, but this year's Modesty certainly should produce starters for the Grade 1 Beverly D.

The chances of a Million horse coming out of the Arlington Handicap will increase if trainer Mark Frostad decides to ship Strut the Stage here from his base at Woodbine. Frostad said either Strut the Stage or Full of Wonder probably will van here Tuesday night for the Handicap, but he won't decide until Tuesday morning which colt to send.

Strut the Stage missed winning last year's Secretariat by a head. He was an easy winner of the Dixie Handicap in his first stakes race this year, and then finished third to Beat Hollow and Forbidden Apple in the Grade 1 Manhattan. But his last effort, a sixth-place finish July 4 in the Firecracker Breeders' Cup at Churchill, put Strut the Stage's form in question.

Strut the Stage shortened up from 10 to eight furlongs in the Firecracker, but Frostad wasn't using distance as an excuse Monday. "I don't know what happened," Frostad said. "It was a baffler. He'd been training well, and he came out of the race well."

Strut the Stage posted a five-furlong turf work in 1:00.60 on Sunday at Woodbine.

Slated to arrive here Thursday from California are two Arlington Handicap horses, the Bobby Frankel-trained Kappa King and Falcon Flight, winner of the Stars and Stripes here last season Kappa King, most recently third in the Grade 2 American Handicap July 4 at Hollywood, would be among the favorites if he runs.

Also possible for the Handicap are Bahroba, Catchy Word, Gretchen's Star, Mystery Giver, National Anthem, Private Son, Riddlesdown, and Tubrok.

England's Legend slated for Modesty

Trainer Christophe Clement told Arlington officials he plans to ship England's Legend here Wednesday for the Grade 3 Modesty. England's Legend romped in the Beverly D. last season, but hasn't raced since a poor performance in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf in October.

England's Legend had been scheduled for a comeback July 4 in the New York Handicap, but was taken out of that race with a setback.

If she shows up this week, England's Legend will join a good group that includes defending Modesty champion Ioya Two, the 7-year-old Illinois-bred who's seeking to rebound from a five-race losing streak. Others being considered for the Modesty are Apasionata Sonata, Cozy Island, Esyoueffcee, Innit, Lady of Peace, Polaire, Quick Tip, and True Ruby.

Like Falcon Flight, Polaire is based in California with trainer Don Burke and will fly here Thursday.

Trainer Roger Attfield told Arlington officials Monday that Sweetest Thing, who would have been a favorite in the Modesty, will pass the race to point for the Beverly D.

'Passage' back on dirt in Round Table

In the Round Table, Windward Passage makes his return to dirt after finishing sixth in the June 8 Jefferson Cup and then getting a breather from racing. Windward Passage, winner of the Grade 3 Rebel this spring, finished fourth in the Lone Star Derby in his last dirt start, and has been breezing regularly at Arlington for trainer Steve Asmussen.

His strongest opposition may come from A.P. Five Hundred, a powerful winner of a June 19 Churchill maiden race, and Colorful Tour, the best Illinois-bred 3-year-old in training.

The other Round Table possibles are Cowboy Stuff, Pass Rush, Resident Rogue, Sharp Gold, and Thunderpumper.

Saratoga Special for Lone Star Sky

Trainer Tom Amoss said the unbeaten colt Lone Star Sky is being pointed to the Aug. 14 Saratoga Special.

Lone Star Sky won his maiden at Arlington in June, then beat favored Posse July 7 in the Grade 3 Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill.

Amoss is passing the first Saratoga 2-year-old race, the July 25 Sanford, because he hopes to preserve his colt for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile this fall.

"With young horses like this, I think you have to consider limiting your starts if you have a specific goal in mind," Amoss said.

Lone Star Sky, a son of Conquistador Cielo, has breezed once since the Bashford Manor and will work again Wednesday at Churchill, Amoss said.

Meanwhile, the Amoss-trained Aloha Bold ran himself into consideration for the Aug. 24 Arlington Sprint with an impressive allowance victory here Sunday. Facing a stakes-class field that included Halo Cat and Talknow, Aloha Bold dueled on the lead before putting Halo Cat away and going on to win by 1 3/4 lengths. His 5 1/2-furlong time of 1:02.80 just missed the track record.

Holy Conflict, unholy luck

Bad racing luck cost Holy Conflict two third-level allowance wins at Arlington last summer. A year later, he's still trying to clear the condition.

Holy Conflict faces nine rivals in Wednesday's featured eighth race here, a third-level grass allowance at about one mile. The race is Holy Conflict's first start since March 7, when he turned in a dull effort at Fair Grounds.

Holy Conflict's best tries in seven Arlington starts are a quartet of thirds, but things could have been much better. Last June 15 he was stuck behind a miserably slow pace and a late rally was good enough only for a three-quarters of a length defeat. Three weeks later, Holy Conflict got bottled up a quarter-mile from home and never did have a chance to run.

If nothing else, the tough losses showed Holy Conflict can produce a strong effort this time of year on this grass course. Facing a field that's somewhat soft for the level, he needs only to fire fresh to move on to the next level of allowance competition.

Alvarado to ride at Arlington

Jockey Frank Alvarado, who has been riding regularly at Colonial Downs, will shift his tack to Arlington beginning Wednesday. Agent Tom Morgan, out of action since parting ways with jockey Alfredo Juarez Jr. this spring, will handle his book.

Alvarado was named on both parts of an entry Wednesday for trainer Wayne Catalano.

Alvarado has spent much of his career in northern California, but rode here briefly last season, partnering with Catalano and owner Frank Calabrese on several winners. Alvarado left Chicago when his agent took another rider's book in Southern California.