British-bred
Dubawi Heights, a 4-year-old filly owned by Neville Callaghan, Michael Magnier,
Clodagh McStay and Annabel Wyatt who is an original nominee to this summer’s
Grade I Beverly D. Stakes Aug. 13, made positive strides in that direction by
capturing Hollywood’s Grade I Gamely Stakes by a head on Memorial Day in
Southern California.
A
projected next start in the Beverly D., sister race to the Arlington Million,
one of three Grade I races to be run during Arlington’s International Festival
of Racing on the second Saturday in August, is being considered by trainer
Simon Callaghan, as is the Grade II John Mabee Stakes at Del Mar the following
Sunday afternoon.
“She
doesn’t need a prep race, and it doesn’t take her much to get fit,” said the
28-year-old conditioner – son of Neville Callaghan of Dubawi Heights’ ownership
group.
Dubawi
Heights, who was stakes-placed in England as a 2-year-old, was sidelined during
the first eight months of her 3-year-old season last year because of a bone
chip in a knee, a battle with colic and a tibia injury.
However,
she has now won her last four straight starts and has accumulated career
earnings of $655,196. After pressing the pace of Brizilian-bred Celtic
Princess, another original Beverly D. nominee owned by Cudelaria Jessica,
Dubawi Heights got up in the final strides with strong handling by jockey Joel
Rosario.
Mr.
and Mrs. Jerome Moss’s Cozi Rosie, still another original Beverly D. nominee,
finish third in the Gamely, a length and three-quarters farther back.
In
a Monday stepping stone toward the Arlington Million held in Texas, original
Arlington Million nominee Expansion, owned by Millennium Farms, rallied late to
be clearly second best in the $150,000 Dallas Turf Cup, contested over
the Lone Star Park lawn at 1 1/16-miles, and could benefit from the added
distance of the mile and a quarter Million.
Also
over the Texas grass at Lone Star later on Monday afternoon, Mid-America Triple
nominees Close Ally, owned by William Farish and Skara Glen Stables, and Derby
Kitten, owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, finished second and third respectively
in the Lone Star Derby, run over the turf course for the first time this
year. The Mid-America Triple at Arlington will continue with the Grade II
American Derby July 9 and conclude with the Grade I Secretariat Stakes on
Arlington Million Day.
ARLINGTON PARK
SALUTES GENERAL CHARLEY ON MEMORIAL DAY
Red
Rabbit Racing’s General Charley, one of the most popular horses in the recent
history of Arlington Park and a gelding who often attracted crowds of at least
50 fans for his frequent winner’s circle photos locally, faded into a dignified
retirement Monday at Arlington during a special ceremony held in his honor
between races.
Now
9-years-old, the chestnut was brought to the winner’s circle with Red Rabbit
Racing’s many friends on hand and was presented with a special trophy
consisting of carrots and celery. Replays of the races from General
Charley’s five-race win streak last season at Arlington were shown on the
infield screen.
General
Charley won earlier this winter Feb. 5 in Tampa and finished his 58-start
career with a third place finish March 9 at the western Florida oval.
JOCKEY CHRIS EMIGH RETURNS WITH
MONDAY TRIPLE
Veteran
jockey Chris Emigh, Arlington’s leading jockey in 2006 and in the top 10 among
Arlington’s all-time leading riders, had a riding triple Monday at Arlington
after journeying home from his 2011 summer base at Indiana Downs.
“It
was well worth the trip,” Emigh said, after winning the fourth race on William
Stiritz’ High Heir for trainer Scott Becker, the sixth on Mark Meyer’s Paisano
Creek for conditioner Jeffrey Lynn and the Memorial Day finale aboard Beauty’s
Lad for the Stiritz-Becker tandem. “I love Arlington Park. There’s
so much energy here. It was like old times. I’ll keep coming in on
Sundays as long as I get any mounts to ride.”
WEEKLY FRIDAY SPECIALS ABOUND IN THE
PARK AREA THIS SUMMER
A
slew of special Friday concession specials are available in the Park Area at
Arlington this season, topped off by $2 draft beers as well as $1 mini-burgers,
mini hot dogs and tacos that are increasingly attracting attention from the
Park Area faithful.
Entertaining
this Friday in the Park Area is the rock band “My Morning Drive,” with Friday’s
first race and first song beginning at 3 p.m.