Indy Groove Takes Checkered Flag at Arlington

(from Arlington Park report)
Glen Hill Farm's Indy Groove led from flag fall to finish en route to a 4 ½-length victory in $150,000 Arlington Matron Handicap (gr. III) with Mark Guidry aboard on Saturday at Arlington Park.

The Tom Proctor-trained daughter of A. P. Indy was clocked in 1:49.87 for the 1 1/8-mile distance over a fast track. The second choice in the wagering, Indy Groove paid $5.40, $3.60, and $3.

The 5-year-old mare battled race favorite Miss Terrible for the first three-quarters of a mile through fractions of :24.13, :47.96 and 1:12.51 before Miss Terrible backed up to finish last in the field of seven.

The Arlington Matron was the second straight Arlington Park stakes score for Indy Groove, who won the Mariah's Storm Stakes three weeks ago. Overall, her record improved to six wins from 18 starts, and the $90,000 winner's share boosted her bankroll to $366,575. She is now three for four at Arlington, with her lone defeat here coming in last year's edition of the Matron when she finished third to Adoration.

"This mare enjoys Arlington Park and her record is good here," Proctor said. "She seems to get better later in the year. She was up front real easy and Mark knows this filly. She runs well for him. This race was probably a little easier this year than it was last year. We might look at a race at Keeneland down the road."

Quick Temper rallied to finish second, a half-length clear of Diavla. Quick Temper returned $8.40 and $5.40. Diavla paid $5.20.

"I had a good trip," said Shaun Bridgmohan, who rode the runner-up. "I sat right in behind the two leaders. Mark just had a little too much horse today, and we were second best."

For Gillian, Kristy Beethoven, and Silent Siren finished ahead of the even-money favorite Miss Terrible.

"She relaxed nicely at first," said Miss Terrible's jockey Eusebio Razo Jr., "but then on the backside, every time I got close to (Indy Groove), she opened up more and more. When I tried to go after her, I could see I didn't have too much horse under me. She was jumping up and down and throwing her head up in the air, not making up any ground at all."

The Matron win gave jockey Mark Guidry a sweep in the day's stakes races after he guided S J Stables' Cloudy's Knight to a three-quarters of a length victory in the $41,500 Rossi Gold Stakes three races earlier. The Frank Kirby-trained son of Lord Avie covered 12 furlongs over firm turf in 2:29.64 and paid $3, $2.20, and $2.10.

(Chart, Equibase)