General Election upsets the Arlington Classic
General Election doesn’t seem to get much respect from the betting public in his races, but the hard trying three year old ran well again on Saturday, as he scored in the $150,000 Arlington Classic on the grass at Arlington Park. Sent off at odds of 13/1, General Election (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) and Joe Rocco Jr. found themselves ninth early on as long shot Bell’s Big Bernie went out and set pretty moderate fractions. General Election stayed down on the inside and saved all the ground on both turns. He was up to fourth as the field straightened away and kept plugging along down on the rail, eventually winning off solidly by a length over favored Admiral Kitten (BetPTC.com Top Selection) who came rallying from last down the center of the track to grab the second spot. General Election had to survive an inquiry as he shifted out late in the stretch, but the stewards ruled that there was no need to make a change and left him up. The BetPTC.com exacta paid $92.40 for every $2 wager.
The Hanshin Cup also provided a bit of an upset, as Hogy used his far outside post draw to secure a perfect garden trip to win the $150,000 event. Sent off at odds of 8/1, Hogy and Chris Emigh set up shop in third early on as Nate’s Mineshaft and Hammers Terror went out and battled with each other through a pretty strong half mile in 45.73 seconds. Emigh tipped Hogy out to the outside of those two and quickly spurted clear in mid-stretch, pulling away to win by a length and a half over Mister Marti Gras (BetPTC.com Top Selection) who closed in late to grab second, well ahead of Hammer’s Terror (BetPTC.com 3rd Selection) who finished up in third. The Arlington Matron Stakes saw Channing Hill and Imposing Grace score an 8/1 win, as they were second early on, but pounced on that leader late to grab the win. Lotta Lovin and Mike Smith went out and set the early fractions, but couldn’t hold off the hard charging Imposing Grace, who got up in the final yards to win.
Dark Cove holds on to win the Louisville Handicap at Churchill Downs
Dark Cove looked home in mid-stretch of Saturday’s $100,000 Louisville Handicap, but jockey Rosie Napravnik had to get after him to hold off a late charging duo of Atigun and Najjaar to get the win. Sent off at odds of 2/1, Dark Cove (BetPTC.com 2nd Selection) bided his time early on in the 12 furlong race, as Al Qasr went out to dictate fractions for the first mile of the race. Going into the final turn though, Dark Cove made his move and opened up nearly two lengths in mid-stretch. Favored Atigun, who was second last with a half mile to go, got going late though and tried to make it close, as did Najjaar, but both fell a half length short as the wire arrived in time for Dark Cove.
Obviously an obvious winner of the American Handicap
Obviously looked to be a likely winner of Saturday’s $150,000 American Handicap at Hollywood Park, as the five year old gelding was bet down to 2/5 as the race begun. Obviously (BetPTC.com Top Selection) and Joe Talamo broke right out to the front and never looked back, as they led their five rivals on a futile chase around the Southern California oval. Obviously was never threatened and pulled clear down the stretch to win by two and a half lengths. Lucayan put in a nice run to get up in to the second spot while Barocci (BetPTC.com Longshot) rounded out the trifecta in the third spot.