Graded stakes winner Miss Terrible tops a field of seven fillies and mares drawn for Saturday's $150,000 Arlington Matron Handicap (gr. III) at Arlington Park. The Argentine-bred mare will carry high weight of 118 under jockey Eusebio Razo Jr. The pair will break from post four.
A seven-time group I winner in her native country, Miss Terrible became a U.S. stakes winner this year when she won the Las Flores Handicap (gr. III) at Santa Anita in her first start, followed by a one-length victory over Sand Springs in the Distaff Turf Mile Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs May 7.
Trained by Bradley Ross for Carol and Charles Hammersmith, the 6-year-old daughter of Numerous enters the 1 1/8-mile event off an unplaced finish in the Beverly D. Handicap (gr. I) Aug. 13 in her first start at Arlington.
Bred by Firmamento, Miss Terrible was sent to the U.S. in 2002.
Another one to watch will be Glen Hill Farm's Indy Groove, a daughter of
A.P. Indy who also enters the Matron with an Arlington win to her credit. She scored a 2 1/4-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile Mariah's Storm Stakes Aug. 12. Trained by Thomas Proctor, Indy Groove was second in the Golden Sylvia Handicap at Mountaineer Race Track in June. Bred in Kentucky by Ten Broeck Farm, the 5-year-old mare's richest win-to- date is the 2004 Autumn Leaves Stakes at that West Virginia track.
Indy Groove will break from post six under jockey Mark Guidry who guided her to her Mariah's Storm victory. She has been assigned 116 pounds.
Also carrying 116 will be Diavla, trained by Kelly Breen for Devil Eleven Stable and Tom Perri. A 4-year-old daughter of Bahri, Diavla made a splash last month with her runner-up effort to Friel's for Real in the $100,000 Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park. Bred by Tokyo Thoroughbred Bureau in Kentucky, Diavla will be seeking her first added-money win in her first start at Arlington.
For Gillian, runner-up to Indy Groove in the Mariah's Storm, will be seeking her first stakes victory as well. An Arlington regular conditioned by Christine Janks, For Gillian has two allowance wins at a mile over the Chicago track. Jockey Jesse Campbell will guide the 4-year-old filly from gate two. Bred in Florida by Carson Springs Farm and Leba Milkes, For Gillian is owned by the partnership of William Lydon, Arbaway Farms, and Carson Springs.
$150,000 Arlington Matron Handicap (gr. III), Arlington Park, Saturday, Sept. 3, 3-year-old and up, fillies and mares, 1 1/8 miles, estimated local post time: 4:37 p.m. Post – Horse, Jockey,Weight
1 Kristy Beethoven, Brice Blanc, 113
2 For Gillian, Jesse M. Campbell, 114
3 Quick Temper, Shaun Bridgmohan, 114
4 Miss Terrible, Eusebio Razo, Jr., 118
5 Diavla, Carlos H. Marquez, Jr., 116
6 Indy Groove, Mark Guidry, 116
7 Silent Siren, James Graham, 112
