Arlington International Racecourse Barn Notes

By Ryan Martin —-

SUPERIORITYCOMPLEX FIRES OFF THE BENCH IN NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT

In her first start in just over a year, Superioritycomplex (IRE) found the winner’s circle in Saturday’s eighth race at Arlington International Racecourse, a one-mile turf allowance event. In addition, the one-length victory was the 4-year-old daughter of Hard Spun’s North American debut for trainer Michael Stidham.

Guided by jockey Mitchell Murrill, Superioritycomplex was sixth in the field of eight during the race’s early stages and angled wide at the top of stretch. She took command at the eighth pole and held off a late change from Market Top to win in a time of 1:39.97 over yielding ground.

In December of last year, she went through the sales ring at Tattersalls Mare Sale of 2017, where she was purchased by bloodstock agent Maretten Farrell on behalf of Mt. Brilliant Farm for $566,076. She was previously conditioned by Sir Michael Stoute and owned by Ballymacoll Stud. Superioritycomplex was consigned by The Castlebridge Consignment.

“The Goodman family gave me my start in the business,” Stidham said. “They’re mostly a breeding operation where they have high quality broodmares and occasionally keep runners for racing. This was one they bought ultimately for a broodmare prospect. She was sound and had some racing ahead of her. They felt like they would like to try to get some black type which would enhance her value. It’s a fabulous strong pedigree.”

Said pedigree is covered with Group 1 form on the broodmare side. The dam is Justlookdonttouch (IRE), a Galileo (IRE) broodmare who is a half sibling to Islington (IRE), winner of the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf in 2003. She also is a half to Group 1 winners Greek Dance (IRE) and Mountain High (IRE). All are out of the Darshaan broodmare Hellenic (IRE).

In her career overseas, Superioritycomplex broke her maiden fifth time out at Chelmsford City on August 15, 2017, which was her final start before being purchased by Mt. Brilliant Farm and relocating to the United States.

“They bought her and then brought her over and gave her time at their farm to acclimate her,” Stidham said. “She went into training and we took plenty of time getting her ready. She had a couple of setbacks but nothing major. There were no real physical issues, it was just timing based off the sale.”

Stidham went on to say that Superioritycomplex would likely target a second-level allowance event at either Kentucky Downs or Keeneland Racecourse in her next start.

THURSDAY FIRST POST MOVES TO 1:00 P.M.

Beginning Thursday, August 23, first post at Arlington International Racecourse will shift to 1:00 p.m.

The upcoming change will allow for an extra race to be carded each day. The final pair of “Party in the Park” events on August 24 and August 31 will continue with a late afternoon first post of 3:15 p.m. First post on Saturday, August 25 will continue at 1:00 p.m. with Sunday, August 26 being the lone and final 1:20 p.m. post of the meet.

All race days in September will feature a 1:00 p.m. first post, including Labor Day on Monday, September 3. Racing will continue on a Thursday-Saturday schedule until the final day of the meet on September 22.