Veteran jockey Corey Nakatani,
hanging his tack at Arlington Park on a regular basis for the first time this
season, journeyed out of town to ride Zayat Stables’ Nehro to a fourth place
finish in last Saturday’s Belmont Stakes but was back at Arlington Sunday in
time to ride three winners during the afternoon.
After riding Wesley Ward and
Jim Downey’s Shes Down With Jim in Sunday’s opener for trainer Larry Rivelli,
Nakatani returned to the winner’s circle after the third astride Kay Reed’s
Tribecky for conditioner Eric Reed, and concluded his hat trick aboard Jim
Stackpoole’s Newport
in the seventh race of the day for trainer Mike Dini.
Newport’s
victory was the second of the afternoon for Dini, who also saddled Ben Barnow’s
Panama Hat to win the sixth with James Graham in the irons.
Jockey Tim Thornton had a
riding double, winning the fourth with Kimberlee and Markus Lindsay’s
Inexcessive Sue for trainer Ricky Lindsay and the fifth on Peacock Stable’s Rainy
Rain for conditioner Kerry Zavash.
THREE ARLINGTON
DAUGHTERS SEND EARLY FATHERS’ DAY GREETINGS
Fathers: irreplaceable when
they’re present but a huge, vacuous void when absent.
For the fortunate they are
there during the molding years from infancy to adolescence, and eventually
young adulthood. That’s why there is a Fathers’ Day.
At Arlington
Park, where families make
up the backbone of its guests, Fathers’ Day is a special day, annually enjoyed
by families throughout Chicagoland that will eagerly anticipate Sunday
afternoon as a rite of early summer.
It’s a day to give dads a
great gift, and three highly visible young ladies (including two sisters)
employed at Arlington,
all of whom have reached young adulthood in exemplary fashion, welcomed the
opportunity to express their appreciation to the two men responsible for making
them into the special daughters they have become.
Here are some of their
recollections and feelings toward their trainer fathers, one of whom has a host
of horses and the other only a handful. However, both men exude those
paternal qualities that mirror those of the dads in many local families that will
be on hand Sunday, and that wish to say: “Thanks, Dad!”
Musings from Alyssa Ali,
Arlington Television Personality and Promotions Coordinator, concerning her
trainer father Alnaz Ali, especially noted for hoisting Indian jockey Suraj
Narredu aboard his first American winner earlier this season at Arlington.
“Growing up, my dad was always
the one who made sure I said ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’ and ‘Pardon?’ – (never
‘What?’) He made sure I looked people in the eyes and always asked how
they were doing.
“He has a ‘man cave’ in our
house filled with our accomplishments – riding ribbons, diplomas, pictures at Arlington.
He’s so proud of us but he should also know how proud we are of him.
Family is the most important thing to him. He is the most dedicated,
kindest person I know.
“My sister Sophie was named
Winter Formal Princess in high school. My dad showed up at the pep rally
and cheered her on when she was announced in front of the whole school.
Then when we got home he put on the sash and tiara and posed for a picture
showing us his muscles. It was his way of showing his support for a
‘girl’ thing.
“He taught me how to
ride. When I was on a difficult horse and was about to get bucked off he
always stayed calm. Even when I was learning to drive he never got
anxious, and me driving is something to be anxious about….trust me.”
Some additional Fathers’ Day
thoughts from Sophie Ali, Arlington’s
Turf Club Hostess and Alyssa’s sister:
“My dad taught me some of the
values and qualities I cherish, including good manners and to always be
respectful to others. In spite of his long hours at the race track, he
always made time to attend my basketball games, horse shows, to pick me up from
school and basketball practice, and to cook my sister and me dinner when my mom
had to work late.
“He is also a man who is
always quick to lend a helping hand to others, whether that be stepping up to
help someone who ran out of gas on the side of the road, or giving a new jockey
a chance to ride one of his horses.
“One of my favorite childhood
memories is of going to the Daddy-Daughter Dances with him when I was in
elementary school. Along with horses, another passion we share is
dancing. He would twirl me around all night long and when I got tired he
would carry me out to the car. I don’t think we ever missed one of those
dances.”
More Fathers’ Day reminiscing
comes from Shelbi Catalano, Arlington’s
Horsemen’s Services Hostess and a college student at North Central in Naperville.
Her father Wayne Catalano has been Arlington’s leading trainer the last six
years and last Sunday, the elder Catalano saddled two 2-year-old first time
starters to finish second and third in the first race of the day. The
runner-up, Class Break, ran in Shelbi’s name, while her mother Renee and father
were listed as co-owners of Vickis Got Swagger, the third-place finisher.
“That was kind of nice – those
two fillies running second and third like that, because they grew up together
in the paddock behind our house in Elgin.
All of our horses are special to us because they are our livelihood. Dad
only told me last week that Class Break would race in my name. I’m happy
for all of us because either way, my dad was going to be happy.
“Dad has always been such a great
example for me. He tries very hard to be successful at what he does and
he is successful because he puts his mind to it. He always tells me to
love what you do and to work hard at it. That’s why he’s such a great
example, and not only for his family. If someone needs something he’s
always there to lend a hand. He’ll teach people how to do things, and how
to work around the horses when that’s what they need to learn.
“What are some of my special
memories growing up around him? It’s hard to pinpoint just one,
because there are so many good times we’ve had together, like going to the
Kentucky Derby with Crypto Star in 1997 or winning those Breeders’ Cup races
with Dreaming of Anna in 2006 and again with She Be Wild in 2009. Most
people don’t get to be in a position to enjoy things like that, but I’ve been
very fortunate. I know that.
“But as much as I enjoy going
to those big races with my dad, I probably enjoy just as much sitting around
the backyard grill with him, relaxing with my family while he cooks out for us
in the evening. He’s always been the chef of the family, and he’s great
at that, too.”