Six stakes-caliber horses from
the Newmarket yard of British trainer Gerard Butler arrived at Arlington Park
Sunday morning to compete at the northwest Chicago oval’s 86-day 2011 season
which runs through September 25.
Heading the six-pack of
English equine imports was Michael Deegan’s Pachattack, who finished sixth in
last season’s Grade I Beverly D. Stakes after being compromised by a tardy
break from the gate. Also included on Sunday’s shipment was Mid-America
Triple prospect Burj Alzain, owned by Mr. Asaad Al Banwan, Deegan’s filly
Maristar and T. C. Stewart’s filly Akhmatova, both possibilities for the Grade
III Arlington Matron over the Polytrack as well as this summer’s Grade III
Modesty Handicap July 9 and $750,000 Beverly D. over Arlington’s turf course
August 13.
Erik Penser’s Beauchamp
Viceroy and Mark Johnston’s Joe Le Taxi, both prospects for Arlington’s
Grade III Hanshin Cup over the Polytrack May 21, complete Butler’s half-dozen.
“All the horses arrived
safely,” said Butler’s
assistant Andrew Morris during training hours Sunday morning. “That’s the
main thing. We’re all okay and everything is good. We cleared
quarantine in New York before coming on to Chicago, so I would think
we’ll be going to the track in the next day or two. Gerard didn’t come in
with us but he will be back and forth all summer when the horses make their
starts.”
Morris, originally from Yorkshire but now a Newmarket resident, has been with Butler
for eight years and will supervise the day-to-day operations of the local Butler contingent