Weld's Irish shuttle will be busy

CHICAGO - The latest Dermot Weld-trained Irish raider flies into the U.S. on Sunday, when Evolving Tactics ships from Ireland to Paris to Chicago, where he runs July 20 in the American Derby.

While the trip is a maiden voyage for the lightly raced Evolving Tactics, overseas shipping has become standard practice for Weld, who sends his horses around the globe. In American racing he made his name with Go and Go, winner of the 1990 Belmont, and the line of success stretches to last Saturday, when Dimitrova beat a tough international field in the $750,000 American Oaks at Hollywood.

Weld said shortly after the American Oaks that Dimitrova might return to the U.S. for stakes this fall, but on Friday an official at the International Racing Bureau said Weld had more recently expressed interest in the Grade 1 Beverly D. on Aug. 16 at Arlington.

That could give Weld two starters on the Arlington Million card if Evolving Tactics pans out. Weld's plan, according to the International Racing Bureau - which coordinates overseas ventures by European horses - is to return Evolving Tactics to Ireland after the American Derby and come back for the Grade 1 Secretariat on Million Day. Weld's stable rider, Pat Smullen, has been lined up to ride Evolving Tactics here next weekend.

Weld won the American Derby with Pine Dance in 2000 and was second last year with Jazz Beat. Evolving Tactics, 1 for 3 lifetime, most recently finished third of 11 in a listed race at Royal Ascot.

As for the Million itself, there are at least six possible European participants at this point: Gateman, Kaiteur, Olden Times, Paolini, Parasol, and Rakti. Paolini finished sixth in the 2002 Million, while Gateman campaigned here for trainer Elliott Walden from 1999 to 2001.

Janks wins two . . .

While her unbeaten colt Fifteen Rounds swept south to Fairmount Park for an easy stakes win last weekend, trainer Christine Janks still hit hard with a one-two punch Thursday at Arlington. Janks sent out two sharp allowance winners, Rich City Girl in the fourth and Double Audit in the eighth.

Both 3-year-old fillies won easily: Rich City Girl took a one-mile race by three lengths, while Double Audit won by four at six furlongs. Double Audit, who raced in a second-level allowance, is one condition ahead of Rich City Girl, and a source of surprise to Janks, who started the filly in a $30,000 maiden claimer here opening day.

"I guess I've always kind of underestimated her," Janks said Friday. "[Thursday], it was the first time I thought she was going to win. She had trained like a horse that would have trouble getting distance. I worried she'd sprint out there and stop at the end. She's learning more and getting confidence."

Janks figured Rich City Girl was cut out to be a nice horse. "We paid a lot of money for her, so I was hoping I was right," she said. "She was one where she got me off the hook, since I really recommended we buy her."

Janks said it was too early to say where either filly might resurface, but Fifteen Rounds is tentatively scheduled to run again in a stakes race on Arlington Million Day, Aug. 16. Fifteen Rounds has won the first four starts of his career, most recently taking the $25,000 Roman Colonel by 5 1/2 lengths July 5 at Fairmount.

. . . and sets sights on another

Janks is having an excellent Arlington meet, and in Manitowish, she has a major player in Sunday's featured eighth race.

Manitowish was one of eight horses entered in the six-furlong sprint, and one of two that run for a $62,500 claiming price. The others all are third-level allowance horses.

Manitowish hasn't won in five starts this year, but comes off a good third-place finish in the $84,000 White Oak on Prairie State Festival Day. Manitowish beat all but the sharp sprinters Out of My Way and Take Achance on Me despite ducking out at the start.

Manitowish is best stalking and should have a quick pace in front of him. King Cielo, a recent $50,000 claim, and Bold Days figure to hook up on the lead, with Iceplosion close behind. Cypress Cove is a deep closer to fear. The unknown quantity is Dancing in the Fog, who makes his first start for trainer Tom Amoss after campaigning at Philadelphia Park throughout his career.