Arlington Trip Notes and Horses to Watch for September 12-14

The following are trip notes for horses who had tough trips at Arlington Park during the week of September 12-14 and are eligible to improve next time.

Add these runners to your horses to watch list, and bet them back next time out if they land in a reasonable spot.

Weather conditions were good during the afternoons, but heavy overnight rains Tuesday and Thursday night into Friday resulted in every turf race being moved to the main track (Polytrack) during the three-day race week. The Polytrack played fair in terms of running styles and inside/outside, but the deluge left the track deep and heavy on September 12, resulting in a surface that some horses handled and others didn’t (1-5 odds loser Dabo, for example).

Arlington Trip Notes (September 12-14)

The horses listed below from last week's races at Arlington Park all have a good chance to run well, and perhaps outrun their odds, in subsequent starts.

CAN SHE SCOOT: Stumbled to her knees at the start when wanting to show better speed and finished fourth after losing best chance at the break. Worth another shot.

COLUMBIA CLIPPER: No dice in an off-the-turf Polytrack race, but had shown ability on the grass and can upset with a return to the turf.

EASTER MUSIC: Got a rough start to be far back early in Polytrack debut, but then rallied strongly to pass the favorites and win going away. Loves the surface. Likely to repeat if able to find a spot for a quick turnaround.

FAMILIAR DREAM: Canterbury invader got rained off the turf when entered at a mile, then ended up setting the pace and trying to go all the way at 1 1/16-miles around two turns and couldn’t go the distance when never getting a breather up front amongst separate challengers.

HELEN HAYES: Stayed in off the turf and ran off into a seven-length-gap battle for the lead and emptied out as a result. Worth another try, especially back on the grass.

JEGGYJEGGY: Was severely overbet in an off-the-turf situation, but ran decent for third behind a tough pair of rivals to indicate good fitness and will be a handful when back on the grass.

LITTLE BALTAR: Sat a tough trip doing the dirty work trying to give chase to a loose lone speed winning favorite, and ran on well to get within a head at the finish and was clear of the rest of the field.

MEEKA: Got hooked in a three-way speed duel in fast 6 1/2-furlong fractions and gave way to third in the late stages. Looms dangerous speed.

MY JILLY: Set a fast and pressured pace which took its toll when nailed in the late stages, but ran on much the best of the speeds for second and looms a threat to go all the way.

ROCKET QUEEN: Fast claimer ran up against one of the horses on the grounds who could run with her early and got cooked up front to settle for second behind a runaway winner. Can shake loose up front.

SHES JUST CAPITAL: Toss out the last place finish after checking out of when put in tight on the rail on the turn. Better luck in next.

TOMMYTOSHORT: Got off to a bad start, which ended up making all the difference in a race he lost by a head. Ready to pass the nw2l level.

Photo: Coady Photography/Arlington International