Nationally renowned conditioner Eoin Harty has taken up residence with a 24-stall contingent this season at Arlington International Racecourse.
The Irish-born ex-Bob Baffert assistant has been a force at the highest level since going out on his own in 2000, including wins in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, Travers Stakes, and Dubai World Cup (all grade or group I). He also keeps an impressive clientele, including Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley Stable, WinStar Farm, and Bill Casner.
"It’s such a beautiful facility with a phenomenal track and backside. We’re really happy to be here," Harty said of Arlington. "Hopefully we can develop some good horses and win some races."
With the majority of his horses at his home base in California, Harty usually keeps a string of horses at Keeneland to train over the Polytrack surface at the Lexington course.
"We were kind of blindsided by Keeneland closing to install the new track, so we needed a place to go with some horses," he explained. "The Polytrack surface here is very similar."
As far as the stock itself, the Harty barn is not lacking in possible star power.
"There is a nice mix here. We think we’ll compete well," Harty said. "We have everything from 2-year-olds to possible stakes horses. Most of these are owned by Mr. Casner."
Included are the well regarded Only in America and Seal Six. The former is a 4-year-old full brother to Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed and the latter a full brother to Travers winner Colonel John. Both are by star sire Tiznow .
"Both horses are coming along very well. I will be disappointed if they don’t get a win here," Harty said.
Assistant Whit Beckman, previously an assistant with Todd Pletcher, heads the local stable.
"He runs a solid operation and has obviously been successful in the past and present," Beckman said of Harty. "I think we’ll do very well this season."
Beckman has worked closely with grade I winners Uncle Mo , Stay Thirsty , and R Heat Lightning, among others.
The Harty barn has finished second twice and third once from four races so far this season at Arlington. The stable has three entries in two races May 30, including Only in America.