Jambalaya Took Arlington Million
Royal Highness Got the Beverly D.; Others Captured Notable Wins
One of the summer's highlight wins was Canadian Jambalaya's stretch drive over The Tin Man. Royal Highness, Student Council, and Baffert's Cry and Catch Me won late.
The Tin Man is nine years old, but he still runs a stretch drive like a youngster. Jockey Victor Espinoza said he believed a firmer turf would have put The Tin Man in the winner's circle from the 1-1/4 miles $1 million Arlington Million in Chicago. The oldster pressed through the last 20 yards gallantly, but was overtaken by three-quarters of a length by winner Jambalaya from Canada in time of 2:04.76 under first time rider Robby Albarado.
The Tin Man will compete in October 27's Breeders' Cup World Championships.
In the Arlington distaff counterpart race, the $750,00 1-1/16 miles Beverly D. Stakes, Royal Highness defeated Irridescense by a head. Her time was 1:56.68. She took command at the 1/16 pole, but couldn't shake the other filly until they barely separated at the line.
Lady of Venice finished third. Five consecutive race winner favorite Citronnade, a Bobby Frankel schoolee, was out of sight, off the board.
Political Force made a highlight reel of the season's 1-1/4 miles $400,000 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park, defeating Metropolitan Handicap victor and favorite Corinthian handily. Political Force fought by Fairbanks at the 3/16 mark and drew away for a 1-1/4 length win in 2:00.50. Malibu Moonshine lasted for third.
The gray victor ridden by Cornelio Velasquez is pointed to this month's Breeders' Cup championships.
Trainer Bob Baffert got back on the map Sept. 29 when his charge Cry and Catch Me dug in for a nose win in the 1-1/16 miles Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita Park. The filly went in 1:42.91 on the all-weather Cushion Track to boost her earnings to $191,000.
The Oak Leaf has been good to Baffert: his wins there include Diamond Omi ('05); Composure ('02); Notable Career (2000); Chilukki ('99); Excellent Meeting ('98); and Vivid Angel ('97).
Jockey Mike Smith has the ride on Cry and Catch Me. The filly was bred in Kentucky by Hurstland Farm and William Kartozian..
Favorite A. P. Arrow couldn't handle Student Council, a Steve Asmussen trained colt, in the $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap Sept. 29 at Hawthorne Race Course. Student Council increased his earnings to $1,152,731 from seven wins and 22 starts.
Jockey Richard Migliore took the winner to the wire in the one mile run in time of 1:15.86. Student Council is a five-year-old son of Kingmambo, out of the Kris S. mare Class Kris. Bred by W. S. Farish, Student Council is now the property of Millennium Stable after running his first 20 starts for the Farish barn.
Trainer Vladimir Cerin schooled Student Council to his last previous victory, a 1/2 length win in the August Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar in California.
Cerin will have Student Council tuned for the Breeders' Cup Classic, which will include a host of big names from the 2007season.
