Rivelli, Valdivia double up in Illinois-bred sprint stakes
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ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Trainer Larry Rivelli came into Saturday’s races at Arlington with 40 winners at the meet, which placed him second in the standings – the jockey standings, that is. The only rider with more wins than Arlington’s leading trainer is Jose Valdivia, who teamed up with Rivelli to sweep a pair of Illinois-bred Polytrack sprints on Saturday.
The favored Jean Elizabeth won the $55,100 Isaac Murphy Handicap, one race before Richiesinthehouse tallied in the $53,826 Addison Cammack Memorial Handicap. Richiesinthehouse hadn’t started since fading out of the frame May 19 in the one-mile Hanshin Cup, while Jean Elizabeth was starting for the first time since November.
“They bring these horses over ready, and all I have to do is get a leg up,” said Valdivia, who revived a flagging career when he relocated to Arlington and became Rivelli’s go-to rider. “Even with horses coming back from a long layoff, I have so much confidence.”
Richiesinthehouse ($4.80) races for Richard Ravin and Vince Foglia’s Patricia’s Hope LLC.
Recount, breaking from post 1, tried to run with him down the backstretch but was taken back off the lead before the half-mile pole, allowing Richiesinthehouse and Valdivia to set a half-mile split in a comfortable 45.87 seconds. Richiesinthehouse laid down an 11.55-second fifth furlong to take command and coasted under the wire three lengths best, stopping the timer in a swift 1:09.54.
Bulldog of Bergen was second by a head over Wile E Peyote, who was stopped badly and shuffled to last past the three-furlong pole.
Richiesinthehouse, who carried 121 pounds, three fewer than top-weighted Recount, is a 5-year-old gelding by Sidney’s Candy and out of Streamin Heat, by Unusual Heat. His record stands at an excellent 16-11-2-0.
Jean Elizabeth, a 4-year-old by Adios Charlie and out of Rooney Doodle, by Lit de Justice, has been nearly as prolific, going 7-3-2 from 12 starts after winning the Isaac Murphy by 3 3/4 lengths over Joyful Night. Valdivia let Brittany On Blades go to the front before allowing his mount to run to the lead around the far turn.
Jean Elizabeth ($3.80) ran solo through the homestretch, stopping the timer in 1:10.75. She carried 121 pounds, four fewer than highweight Puntsville, who turned in a flat performance, fading to fourth behind Game Time Decision.
Jean Elizabeth races for V-Leaf Stables, Richard Ravin, and the trainer himself, who co-bred her – and, like usual, is winning bushels of races at Arlington.
