Sarah Sis logical rebound candidate in Chicago Handicap

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Sarah Sis finished eighth, beaten 18 lengths, when last seen in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff on May 7 at Churchill Downs. Yet if her history is any guide, Sarah Sis can rebound and win the Grade 3, $100,000 Chicago Handicap on Saturday at Arlington.

The 4-year-old Sarah Sis is the 121-pound highweight in the Chicago Handicap, a seven-furlong Polytrack race for fillies and mares that drew 10 entrants. She has six wins and four seconds from 17 starts, and her $604,900 bankroll easily is the highest in the field. Twice before the Humana Distaff, Sarah Sis turned in similarly dismal performances: She was eased in the 2015 Kentucky Oaks and finished sixth, beaten more than 14 lengths, as the 3-2 favorite last September in the Charles Town Oaks. What did Sarah Sis do about a month after those duds? She won a stakes race.

Sarah Sis has Arlington’s leading rider, Jose Valdivia Jr., aboard for trainer Ingrid Mason in the Chicago Handicap, race 6 on an eight-race card, post time 3:55 p.m. Central. If she fails to rebound, the race could fall any number of directions.

Chicago Handicap, Race 6

KEY CONTENDERS

Sarah Sis, by Sharp Humor

Last 3 Beyers: 67-81-75

◗ Despite a 1-1-0 record from five starts at the distance, seven furlongs might be her best distance; she made the pace and finished fourth in the Grade 1 Ballerina last summer.

◗ Sarah Sis can go straight to the front and open a clear lead in a paceless race, and she might prove uncatchable with anything close to her best.

◗ Her two previous synthetic-surface starts produced a blowout Arlington debut win and a game second in the Arlington-Washington Lassie.

Seeking Treasure, by Run Away and Hide

Last 3 Beyers: 90-87-51

◗ This 6-year-old mare suddenly took her baseline performance to a new level last summer and hasn’t lost her form since, with excuses for two poor showings in her recent running lines.

◗ Exits two-turn turf races but has the turn of foot to adapt to a seven-furlong Polytrack race.

◗ Closed last out to finish second to Isabella Sings, the filly who gave Tepin a battle last winter at Tampa Bay Downs.

Minks Aprise, by Northern Afleet

Last 3 Beyers: 87-89-87

◗ First Arlington starter since 2003 for trainer Michael Dickinson, who got the 4-year-old filly from Jerry Hollendorfer this spring and has worked her twice on his farm in Maryland.

◗ The filly is pretty good on turf but appears to be at her best on synthetics, where she has compiled a 4-3-1-0 record.