Arlington Trip Notes and Horses to Watch (July 11-14)

The following are trip notes for horses who had tough trips the week of July 11-14 at Arlington Park, and/or who figure to improve in their next races. Add these horses to your horses to watch list, and bet them back next time out if they land in a reasonable spot. Racing for the week of July 11-14 at Arlington was run under mostly warm and clear conditions, and a firm surface prevailed on the turf. The horses listed below exit races run at Arlington during the week of July 11-14, and all of them have good chances to run well, outrun their odds, and/or win in their subsequent starts. Arlington Trip Notes (July 11-14) ARROWSPHERE: Handled the local surface but got no help up on the pace when chasing a wire-to-wire winner getting away with murder up front. Fits well vs. the local competition. BOURBON TAN: Toss out the disastrous last-place finish, breaking slowly in a race with no pace and then being asked to rush up and press the pace despite lacking any natural early speed. Live at a big price but needs pace to chase. DON’TASK DON’TTELL: Suffered an unlucky loss in a race he should have won if not for bothered early in the stretch run and nearly sent through the rail. Came back strong to miss by a head and just needs a clean trip. GATE CREW: First-time starter showed speed to press and then set the pace and lost to a good-looking stalking winner to finish a clear second. Looks good next time. KING SNAKE: First-time starter took money both early and late and came out running, fending off separate challengers up on the pace en route to a tough-luck nose loss thanks to the rider thinking he had it won and stopping riding instead of finishing strong. Too good to remain a maiden any longer. LAVINA: Raced along with the eventual winner but while that horse got through cleanly, this horse waited in traffic in upper stretch before getting clear and moving strongly up the rail to just miss. Worth another chance. LETHEBIGSHOT ROLL: Was inexplicably bet down to 5-2 in a five-furlong turf sprint prep race off a five-month layoff. Got a race under his belt and ready to win on the stretch out. LIZZ A BEE: Late surge nearly got her there but she settled for second by a head in a tough maiden spot. Ready to graduate. MOM’S RED LIPSTICK: First-time starter broke slowly to be last early in five-furlong career debut, but recovered to destroy the field anyway as much the best. Should repeat wherever she can find a spot. READY’S MISSION: Blasted clear on the lead in a race overloaded with blazing speed and lead until getting nipped by a neck and a head at the wire. Ready to go wire-to-wire back at current level. RICHIESONARAMPAGE: Veered in at the break when not handling the rail post draw, then played catch up and actually ran a solid effort for third beaten a tad over a length. Just needs to get off the rail to rebound. TAK: Evidently could not handle the turf whatsoever, but has talent and will rebound in a big way when back on the Polytrack. PHOTO: Arlington Park (c) Coady Photography/Arlington Park