Grade I winners Dr. Zic and Hooh Why head a field of eight older fillies and mares in the $100,000 Chicago Handicap (gr. III) at Arlington Park July 3.
The Chicago, at seven furlongs on the Polytrack, is the seventh race on the Arlington card and is expected to go off at 4:06 p.m. CDT.
Dr. Zic, racing for Derby Lane Farm and partners and trainer Joan Scott, has lost six races in a row since since she captured the Vinery Madison Stakes (gr. I) in front-running style over Keeneland's Polytrack nearly 15 months ago. The 5-year-old Milwaukee Brew mare finished third in defense of her Madison crown April 14.
Since then she has had one start, tiring to sixth after pressing the pace in Woodbine's Hendrie Stakes (Can-III) May 14. The chestnut, to be fitted with blinkers for the Chicago, will be ridden by E.T. Baird in her Arlington debut.
Hooh Why, upset winner of the 2009 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland as a 3-year-old, has shown an affinity for Arlington’s all-weather surface with two wins, a second, and a third in four trips over the course. After three losses at Woodbine to begin the 2011 campaign, the 5-year-old mare by Cloud Hopping registered a nose victory in a high-priced allowance at Arlington June 15.
Mike Reavis trains the seven-time winner for the Estate of Gail Gee, Mark Hoffman, and Earl Trostrud. Jozbin Santana, Arlington’s leading rider thorough June 29, takes over the mount.
The D. Wayne Lukas-trained Tidal Pool, owned by Westrock Stables, will share high weight with Dr. Zic of 121 pounds. The daughter of Yankee Gentleman finished a distant third last time out behind the victorious Hilda's Passion in the Vagrancy Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park. Earlier this year, the 4-year-old filly won the Red Bud Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Eusebio Razo Jr. has been named.
Devil by Design makes her 2011 debut for trainer Bill Mott. A 5-year-old Medaglia d'Oro mare, she has turned in a string of solid works for her return, including a :48 3/5 half-mile drill at Churchill Downs June 28. Corey Nakatani takes the call.
Hot Hot Mama ships in from Keeneland off a half-length tally in Mountaineer's Ohio Valley Handicap May 17 for trainer Kellyn Gorder.
Others in the field are La Rocca, a Woodbine stakes winner last year, Home's the Best, and Lookn Even Finer.
$100,000 Chicago Handicap (gr. III, Race 7, 4:06 p.m.), Fillies & Mares 3 & Up, 7 Furlongs (All Weather)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Tidal Pool (KY), E Razo Jr., 121, D W Lukas
2. La Rocca (KY), S B Martinez, 116, M Stidham
3. Home's the Best (IL), E E Perez, 117, B Williamson
4. Hooh Why (FL), J Z Santana, 119, M L Reavis
5. Devil by Design (KY), C S Nakatani, 118, W I Mott
6. Lookn Even Finer (KY), R Napravnik, 114, M Stidham
7. Dr. Zic (KY), E T Baird, 121, J Scott
8. Hot Hot Mama (KY), J Graham, 116, K Gorder
Blinkers On: Dr. Zic
Dr. Zic is looking for her first win since the 2010 Vinery Madison Stakes.
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