Arlington International Racecourse Barn Notes: Sunday, July 22, 2018

By Ryan Martin —-

• E.T. Baird Returns to Winner’s Circle
• Platinum Warrior Pointing for Grade I Secretariat
• DiVito in California State of Mind, Ships Seven to Del Mar

E.T. BAIRD RETURNS TO WINNER’S CIRCLE

After a year and a half hiatus from race riding, jockey E.T. Baird made a return to the winner’s circle on Saturday afternoon at Arlington International Racecourse when guiding Good Bye Greg ($5.60) to victory for current leading trainer Larry Rivelli. It was Baird’s 2,400th career win.

Baird sent the Florida-bred son of Teuflesberg straight to the front in the 5½-furlong turf sprint and managed to keep Welovecandy at bay down the top of the stretch to win by 1¼ lengths as the 9-5 post-time favorite.

“It feels good, it really does,” Baird said following Saturday afternoon’s win. “It’s nice because he’s a really nice horse and it’s just nice to ride those kind. I hope I get more to come.”

Prior to his victory aboard Good Bye Greg, Baird’s last win took place on December 16, 2016 at Tampa Bay Downs when he guided Back At The Ranch to a 3¾ length victory.

The race was the seasonal bow for Good Bye Greg, whose last effort took place in Del Mar Racetrack’s Damascus Stakes on Nov. 3 when fifth behind Americanize. He also took the Jeff Lynn Stakes over the Arlington all-weather surface last September.

On Sunday, Baird went on to capture the opener aboard another Rivelli trainee Rivzinthehouse ($2.20) as well as the seventh race on Odachi ($4.40) for trainer Carlos Silva, his only two mounts on the day’s card.

PLATINUM WARRIOR POINTING FOR GRADE I SECRETARIAT

The probable list of overseas contenders for the International Festival of Racing is continuing to grow as trainer Michael Halford has confirmed Group 3 winner Platinum Warrior (IRE) for the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes at Arlington International Racecourse on Saturday, Aug. 11.

Owned by Zhang Yuesheng, the 3-year-old son of Galileo (IRE) will enter the 1¼-mile turf event off of a ninth-place finish in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh on June 30 behind Latrobe, who he defeated one start prior in the Group 3 Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes.

Tactically, both races were run in different styles for Platinum Warrior. In the Gallinule Stakes, he was more prominent in the race’s early stages and sat just off the pace. Coming around the far turn, he was asked by jockey Shane Foley and made a winning move at the top of the stretch. Despite having drifted out just a few strides before the finish, he was able to hold off a late charge from Latrobe, who would turn the tables on Platinum Warrior in the Irish Derby. He was much further off the pace in the Derby and according to Halford, one can expect to see Platinum Warrior return to his closer-to-the-pace running style.

“In the Irish Derby unfortunately he anticipated the start early and split his gum hitting the stall,” Halford said. “He was quite sore for a couple of days. It was just disappointing. On the day he returned with plenty of blood in his mouth. We also thought that there would be a strong pace and there wasn’t. It was just one of those races that didn’t go to plan. His previous race, he showed great form.”

Platinum Warrior has been up against some of the best 3-year-olds in Ireland all year. Prior to his Gallinule Stakes triumph, he was fourth in the Group 3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown behind Hazapour, and Ballydoyle’s Delano Roosevelt (IRE) and The Pentagon (IRE). In addition, Platinum Warrior will give Halford his first starter in the United States when he races in the Secretariat.

“I think it’s a good race for him,” Halford said. “We feel that he’s better off his last run. His owner is widespread with horses in different places and he likes challenges like that. We think that there are plenty of positives by taking him there. He’s handled good ground with no problem. He’s a straight forward horse and has improved with every run. He’s by an amazing sire and we feel he’s progressing the right way.”

Other possible contenders for the Secretariat Stakes include Mildenberger (IRE), Real Story, Analyze It, Sniper Kitten, Captivating Moon, Free Drop Billy, Nobrag Justfact and Dubby Dubbie.

DIVITO IN CALIFORNIA STATE OF MIND, SHIPS SEVEN TO DEL MAR

Trainer Jimmy DiVito is one of several trainers across the country attempting to take advantage of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s “Ship & Win” incentive program, which awards a $2,000 bonus to runners whose last start came outside of California. DiVito has seven horses stabled at Del Mar Racetrack in addition to his main strings at Arlington International Racetrack and Churchill Downs.

Last Thursday, DiVito saddled True Loyalty to a third-place finish in an allowance optional claiming event over the grass at the seaside oval at odds of 23-1.

“We tried to send ones that fit,” DiVito said. “We have some maiden two year olds that’s are nice and we have some other nice horses like Shanghai Tariff. We have Jimmy D who’s in a starter allowance (Wednesday, July 25, race 6). I think they fit here.”

Doubledown Stables’ Shanghai Tariff, a 3-year-old daughter of Shanghai Bobby, defeated stakes-placed Salt Bae two starts ago against allowance company at Oaklawn Park on April 11. Jimmy D hit the board in both of his allowance optional claiming starts at Arlington earlier this meet.

DiVito also sent 2-year-old maiden Forloveofcountry as a part of his Del Mar contingent. Owned by Doubledown Stables, the Virginia-bred son of Sky Mesa was purchased for $300,000 and is a half-sibling to multiple stakes winner Rapid Rhythm. His lone start resulted in a third-place effort in a 5½-furlong sprint over the Churchill Downs main track on June 21, a race which was originally carded for the turf.