Synthetic surface, distance could be problems for Purple Violet entrants

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – The $50,000 Purple Violet Stakes for Illinois-bred 3-year-old fillies will be run over one mile on Arlington’s synthetic surface. Any handicapper searching for a proven horse over that surface and distance is on a futile mission: The 10 entrants have a combined 2-for-11 win record on synthetic surfaces and are 0 for 4 going a mile.

Silver Lode is the filly who has come closest to hitting those marks; she won her career debut last summer on Arlington’s main track, then finished second going seven furlongs in the Arlington-Washington Lassie. She also fits the spot in other ways but is likely to go postward at odds lower than her 9-2 morning line.

The Purple Violet (race 7 of eight, post time 4:27 p.m. Central) was supposed to share this card with the Springfield Stakes for Illinois-bred 3-year-olds, but that race failed to fill when entries were taken Wednesday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Silver Lode, by Cashel Castle

Last 3 Beyers: 62-58-61

◗ The filly has started seven times but only twice against Illinois-breds and has won both of those starts. She won her career debut last summer and was a fairly impressive winner last December of the Pat Whitworth Illinois Debutante at Hawthorne.

◗ Got a break between Jan. 8 and April 30, when she returned with a useful second in a Prairie Meadows allowance race. DRF Formulator shows that trainer Doug Matthews has done good work with horses making their second start after such a layoff in a stakes race, his six such starters producing one win, one second, two thirds, and a fifth at odds between 7-2 and 16-1.

◗ Yet to try a one-turn mile, but combining her sprint and route form, the trip should suit her.

Missalaney, by Badge of Silver

Last 3 Beyers: 68-49-71

◗ She’s still eligible for a first-level allowance after 10 starts but never has faced Illinois-breds and has the best company lines in the race, having run against horses as talented as Grade 1 winner Weep No More this year.

◗ Lone win came against just three foes over a wet Hawthorne turf course.

◗ DRF Formulator shows that trainer David Hinsley never has won a stakes race at Arlington.

Dundalk Bay, by Pembroke

Last 3 Beyers: 51-77-67

◗ Figures to make the lead from the rail under noted gate rider E.T. Baird but might struggle to stay one mile.

Flin Flon, by Gilded Time

Last 3 Beyers: 62-58-42

◗ Showed some late life in a six-furlong Polytrack race last out and, with continued improvement at this longer one-turn trip, can hit the board at a price.