Veteran trainer Don Von Hemel has returned to Arlington Park following recent hip replacement surgery and will supervise the day-to-day preparations of Pin Oak Stable LLC's Bedanken as she gets ready for her next engagement in the Beverly D. Stakes (gr. IT) at Arlington Park on Aug. 14. Bedanken, trained by Donnie K. Von Hemel, son of the Arlington-based conditioner, was the impressive winner of last Saturday's Modesty Handicap (gr. IIIT). Based on her Saturday tally and an impressive victory in Arlington's Possibly Perfect Stakes July 5, Bedanken remains at Arlington as one of the fillies and mares likely to contend in the the 1 3/16-mile Beverly D., worth $750,000.
Bedanken has been "eased back into the bridle" since her Modesty score, with her next serious move some days away. The elder Von Hemel, now walking with the assistance of a cane as he oversees day-to-day barn activities at Arlington, said he is also "getting a little better every day."