ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Green-clad employees cleaned 1,250 television monitors. Four hundred and forty-eight betting machines were programmed. Don't even ask how many vacuum cleaners roared or how many planter beds were sprinkled this week at Arlington Park.
The captain here is Dick Duchossois, still going strong at 82. The Duchossois way means no blade of grass will be misaligned for Friday's season opener.
MIAMI - The disqualification of Rolled Stocking from first to second in the eighth race at Calder on May 1 has been reversed on appeal. The decision was made Tuesday by Calder president Ken Dunn, who acted as hearing officer on the appeal filed by Rolled Stocking's trainer, Tim Hills, on behalf of owner Tom Roach.
It is the second such reversal in recent weeks. On April 27, the Arkansas Racing Commission overruled a decision of the stewards at Oaklawn Park and disqualified Wild Spirit from second place in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap, run April 3.
Humaita, the longest price in the field, held off the late charges of Noisette and Primetimevalentine to win the $60,800 Sabin Stakes by a half-length Wednesday at Belmont Park.
Noisette, the 6-5 favorite in the seven-horse field of fillies and mares, finished second, a half-length in front of Primetimevalentine.
The order of finish in the 1 1/4-mile grass race was completed by Shining Jewel, Lady Liberty, and Board Elligible.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Michael Gill, who led the nation's owners in wins last year, is disbanding his California stable, which was aggressively acquired through the claiming ranks in the last seven months.
John Morrissey, who works with Gill on his racing operation, said that the 28 horses that Gill has at Hollywood Park will be sent to Maryland, where they will be dispersed to other trainers. Gill will not have any horses remaining in California, Morrissey said.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Western Hemisphere was the weaker half of the Golden Eagle Farm entry when she finished second to stablemate Yearly Report in the $200,000 Melair Stakes at Hollywood Park on April 24.
When returns in a $50,000 allowance race for California-bred fillies and mares on Friday, she has the strongest credentials in a large field. The allowance race is run over 1 1/16 miles on turf, and marks Western Hemisphere's first start on that surface.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A bloody nose caused Home Court to be scratched from a comeback race last month at Keeneland. In Friday's eighth race at Churchill Downs, she appears difficult to defeat - provided she does not stop herself again.
is a deserving favorite in the eighth race, a $47,900 entry-level allowance at seven furlongs. In her only race, she won her maiden last summer at Saratoga, defeating La Reina by three-quarters of a length.
BALTIMORE - Coming just two weeks after the Kentucky Oaks, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes has lost some of its luster in recent years, probably because of the timing of the race. Most horsemen have grown reluctant to wheel back a top horse on such relatively short rest, and with the Oaks remaining the preeminent classic for 3-year-old fillies, the has been adversely affected.
BALTIMORE - The vastly improved Friel's for Real has yet to win a graded stakes race, but her sharp form gives her an excellent shot to score a mild upset in Friday's Grade 3 Pimlico Breeders' Cup Distaff Handicap.
The $150,000 race drew a field of 10, but two marquee names are expected to be scratched. Roar Emotion is expected to run instead in Saturday's Shuvee Handicap at Belmont Park, and Smok'n Frolic will be scratched because of a bruised right front foot, according to trainer Todd Pletcher.
Among My Souvenirs, unbeaten in three starts, rates a slight edge in a competitive renewal of the Grade 3, $100,000 Miss Preakness Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs.
After winning her first three starts - including two stakes - Among My Souvenirs was scratched out of the Grade 3 Cicada at Aqueduct on March 20 the morning of the race because of a foot abscess. It took a while for the foot to heal, according to trainer Anthony Dutrow, but her last three works at Laurel Park indicate she is ready for the Miss Preakness.