(Edited Arlington Park release)South African champion mare Ipi Tombe, who was born in Zimbabwe, has a Zulu name that translates to "where are the girls,." If trainer Elliott Walden has his way she will run "where the girls are" during Arlington Park's International Festival of Racing Aug. 16."I don't have a decision right now, but I'm leaning toward the Beverly D.," said Walden Thursday morning while speaking over the phone from Churchill Downs. The Beverly D., Arlington's Grade I race restricted to fillies and mares, is run on the same day as the Grade I Arlington Million, which Ipi Tombe is also nominated.
Ipi Tombe captured the Grade I Dubai Duty Free at Nad al Sheba March 29 while racing against males. The 5-year-old mare, now owned by Team Valor, WinStar Farm & Sunmark Partners, was recording her third straight stakes win at Nad al Sheba this year and her seventh straight victory. Last season, Ipi Tombe concluded her 2002 campaign with a win in the Grade I Vodacom Durban July Handicap, South Africa's premier race run at Greyville.Meanwhile, Walden returned to Kentucky Wednesday from Ireland, where he saw the 3-year-old colt European who is now owned by Team Valor. European was a late nominee Wednesday for the June 28 Arlington Classic, the first leg of Arlington's Mid-America Triple. The Triple continues with the Grade II American Derby July 20 and concludes with the August 16 Secretariat Stakes (gr. I).