Arlington: Sophmore State-breds Highlight Saturday Card in Springfield, Purple Violet Stakes

By Bailey Gallison —-

SOPHOMORE STATE-BREDS HIGHLIGHT SATURDAY CARD IN SPRINGFIELD, PURPLE VIOLET STAKES

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (June 14, 2018) – Three-year-old Illinois-breds take the spotlight this Saturday in pair of stakes events at Arlington International Racecourse – the $75,000 Springfield Stakes and the $75,000 Purple Violet Stakes, both of which are contested over the all-weather surface at one mile.

Six colts have assembled for the 29th running of the Springfield Stakes, including a pair from the barn of trainer Chris Block, who will look to tie the Harry Trotsek’s record for most stakes victories at Arlington (44). One of those will chances will come with Timothy Keeley’s Wile E Peyote who won on debut last time out as the lukewarm favorite over the Polytrack on May 19. The son of City Zip tracked just off a swift pace and won by three-quarters of a length over next-out winner Bulldog of Bergen. Jockey Jose Lopez guided Wile E Peyote to his maiden win and will be aboard once again as the duo breaks from post two.

Arlington’s current leading trainer Larry Rivelli will send out two-time stakes winner Pass the Gravy in his sophomore season debut. Owned by Rivelli in partnership with V-Leaf Stables and Richard Ravin, Pass The Gravy won two stakes events at Hawthorne Race Course at the end of last year in the six-furlong Sun Power Stakes over a muddy track on November 18 and the Futurity Stakes, which was contested at 1 1/16 miles over a fast main track. Jose Valdivia Jr. will be in the irons from gate three.

Richard Otto Stables’ Sir Anthony will be looking to turn the tables on Pass the Gravy after finishing behind him three times in his seven-race career. Trained by Anthony Mitchell, the son of Mineshaft was second beaten a neck behind Pass the Gravy in the Futurity Stakes on December 9. His most recent win took place when breaking his maiden at third asking over the dirt at Hawthorne on November 1. Jockey Jesse Campbell will be aboard Sir Anthony, who breaks from post four.

Chief Okie Dokie (post one, Carlos Marquez, Jr.), Dr. Bombay (post five, Mitchell Murrill), and Demand Ransom (post six, Julio Felix) round out the field.

Three races later, eight fillies will line up for the Purple Violet Stakes. Breaking from post four, Jean Elizabeth will be looking to put her undefeated record on the line for trainer Larry Rivelli. Owned by Rivelli in partnership with V-Leaf Stables and Richard Ravin, the daughter of Adios Charlie has won all four of her starts including a maiden victory at Arlington over Strollin the Bayou (post one, Carlos Marquez, Jr.) and most recently, an open company allowance race on May 12. Her lone stakes win took place in Hawthorne’s Pretty Jenny Stakes on April 21. Jockey Julio Felix has guided Jean Elizabeth to all of her victories and will retain the mount.

Looking to spoil Jean Elizabeth’s perfect record is Brinker Hill Farm’s Hayworth, who makes her debut for trainer James Gulick after being previously trained by Mark Casse. The daughter of Arch was a second-out maiden winner this March at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots before two solid efforts against open company winners. Jose Valdivia, Jr. will ride from gate seven.

Moabo Stable’s Strollin the Bayou will look to improve for trainer Chris Block after settling for a well-beaten fifth last time out behind Jean Elizabeth. The daughter of Stroll was a seven-length winner last September when breaking her maiden at third asking and will try to run back to that effort.

Royal’s Position (post two, Chris Emigh), Twin Deuce (post three, Sophie Doyle), Momma Joann (post five, Joseph Berrios), Regal Serenade (post six, Jose Lopez) and Bramble Queen (post eight, Mitchell Murrill) complete the entries.

Arlington International Racecourse – the Chicago area’s premier Thoroughbred racetrack located in Arlington Heights, Ill. – will run a 71-day meet in 2018 from May 4 through September 22. Arlington International Racecourse, whose parent company is Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN), also operates 10 off-track, simulcast-wagering facilities in Aurora, Chicago, Hoffman Estates, Waukegan, Villa Park, Rockford, Hodgkins, McHenry, Green Oaks and Orland Hills. Arlington International Racecourse is a proud member of America’s Best Racing. Information on Arlington International Racecourse and Trackside OTB can be found online at www.arlingtonpark.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/arlingtonpark and www.facebook.com/tracksideotb, and on Twitter at @Arlington_Park for the latest happenings, @ArlingtonRacing for the latest racing news and @TracksideOTB for all things pertaining to off-track wagering.