Arlington International Racecourse Barn Notes: Sunday, September 3

By Bailey Gallison —-

DEVILEYE REMAINS UNDEFEATED IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS

S. D. Brilie’s homebred Devileye delivered a late run up the rail in the $66,000 Arlington Heights Stakes on Sept. 2 at Arlington International Racecourse to remain undefeated. Facing four other 3-year-old state-bred geldings, the Michele Boyce-trained son of Indygo Shiner stalked William Stiritz’s Scott Becker trainee Smoke ‘n’ Gloat from third in the early stages of the seven furlong event on the main track as the pair let V-Leaf Stable and Richard Ravin’s Larry Rivelli trainee Richiesinthehouse set opening fractions of 23, 46.25, and 1:09.87 while Rivelli’s second entry, V-Leaf Stables, Richard Ravin and Rivelli’s What’s Up Dude raced from the rear of the field with Steve Manley’s Go Oshie Go.

Under regular rider Santo Sanjur, Devileye stayed glued to the rail through the turn and with clear running room pulled alongside pacesetter Richiesinthehouse, ridden by Julio Felix, before surging to the front to win by a half-length in a time of 1:22.29. Wagering favorite Smoke ‘n’ Gloat finished another half-length back in third with Chris Emigh. Go Oshie Go, Mitchell Murill up, and What’s Up Dude, piloted by Jose Valdivia, Jr., completed the order of finish.

“He’s a nice horse,” said Sanjur. “He showed class. You can do whatever you want with him, but he’s a lot better on the inside. He ran a big race.”

There were a few anxious moments following the race as Devileye tried to make a detour at the gap that led back to the barns, running Sanjur into the outside rail and causing him to dismount. Outriders helped Sanjur remount and return to the winner’s circle without further incident.

“Devileye came out of the race really well,” said Boyce the following morning. “He just had an abrasion on his chest from the rail, luckily nothing worse. He ate up well last night and is doing great.”

Devileye returned $7.80, $4.40 and $2.20 to his backers. Richiesinthehouse paid $12 and $2.80, while Smoke ‘n’ Gloat returned $2.10. With his fifth victory in as many starts, Devileye increased his career earnings to $114,780 with the winner’s purse of $39,600.

Devileye is the third foal out of Illinois-bred mare Deville, a daughter of multiple graded-stakes winner Petionville. Deville has produced three other foals to race, including multiple stakes-winner Puntsville. The 5-year-old mare by Cashel Castle most recently won the Hoist Her Flag Stakes at Canterbury Park on Aug. 13 and will be pointed towards the Richard Scherer Memorial Overnight Stakes at Arlington on Sept. 16 for her next start. Deville’s 2-year-old filly by Brilliant Speed, Speed Devil, finished third in her debut at Arlington last month. Boyce plans to race her once more before the end of the meeting on Sept. 23.