Arlington International Racecourse Barn Notes: Thursday, May 18

By Bailey Gallison —-

SAKONNET STRAIGHT TO STAKES AT ARLINGTON

Trainer Anthony Granitz says he will point Sakonnet for the Grade III $100,000 Arlington Classic on May 27 at Arlington International Racecourse. The 3-year-old colt by Scat Daddy was last seen finishing a fast-closing second at Keeneland in a maiden special weight event on the grass going 1 1/16 miles. The Arlington Classic is run at the same distance, over which Sakonnet has raced twice, finishing second both times.

Purchased by Tommy Ligon and Joseph Silich as a 2-year-old, Sakonnet made his debut in February at Tampa Bay Downs going two turns on the turf. After showing a quick turn of foot coming for home to take second, Granitz felt the colt could keep up with the better company at Keeneland, where he would make his next two starts, hitting the board in both.

“We ran him at Keeneland since he’s Kentucky-bred,” said Granitz. “He shouldn’t be a maiden – if you watch his last race, he should have won easily, but he stumbled leaving the gate and he had a tough trip.”

Sakonnet is the first foal to race out of the Smart Strike mare Beckles Road, herself unraced but a half-sister to multiple graded-stakes winners, including Leigh Court. A daughter of Grand Slam, Leigh Court found success on all surfaces, winning Grade III races on grass and synthetic, while also taking the Grade II Thoroughbred Club of America on the dirt.

Granitz, currently based at Indiana Grand, worked the colt on May 13 going five furlongs on the dirt. He says Sakonnet has maintained his fitness by racing between works, but he does hope to give the colt one more before next weekend’s race.

“I’ll probably ship him up there next week and work him over the turf – weather permitting,” said Granitz. “Joe Silich lives in Chicago, while Tommy [Ligon] lives in Atlanta. [Silich] is bringing about 30 people, so it would be pretty cool to get a win. Sakonnet runs a big race, he closes really well and I think he’ll fit the Arlington turf.”

Nominations for the 82nd running of the Grade III Arlington Classic closed Wednesday at 25, including five from the barn of Mike Maker and three each from the barns of Brad Cox and Bill Mott. Entries for the Arlington Classic will be drawn Wednesday, May 24.