Horses to play (or oppose) in Arlington's $2,783 Pick 7 carryover

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson analyzes three horses of note in Arlington Park’s $2,783 Pick 7 carryover. The sequence gets underway in Race 2, post time 3:53 p.m. ET.

Best single: Race 7, Richard P. Hazelton Memorial: #7 Richiesgotgame (7-5)

Richiesgotgame has been in hot form for Arlington’s leading trainer Larry Rivelli, crossing the wire first in his last three starts against $75,000 allowance optional claiming company. He was particularly eye-catching in a 1 1/16-mile event on July 4, rallying from 3 1/2 lengths off a quick pace to dominate by 9 1/4 lengths.

Richiesgotgame is switching from Polytrack to turf for the Richard P. Hazelton Memorial, but this shouldn’t be a concern. He broke his maiden over this course and one-mile distance last year, and he ran well in two starts over the Gulfstream Park lawn during the winter, finishing fifth and second in a pair of $50,000 starter optional claimers.

With Rivelli’s go-to jockey Jareth Loveberry in the saddle, Richiesgotgame looks tough to beat, even while stepping up into stakes company. Keep in mind, the Richard P. Hazelton Memorial is restricted to runners bred in Illinois, whereas Richiesgotgame has been facing open company.

Vulnerable favorite: Race 2, $20,000 Claiming: #6 Smack (4-5)

Smack has run well this summer, rattling off a couple of blowout wins against $12,500 claiming company before stepping up to win a $20,000 claimer by 2 1/2 lengths. But the five-year-old mare enjoyed an absolutely picture-perfect trip in the latter race, tracking (and then setting) ultra-slow fractions of :26.60, :52.56, and 1:16.65 before sprinting the final quarter mile in a blazing :22.01.

This slow early/fast late race shape made it difficult for runner-up #7 Zandrea’s (9-2) and third-place finisher #3 Windy City Girl (9-2) to get involved from off the pace, but they nevertheless fought on gamely to secure the minor awards. If they get more pace to work with on Saturday, I can imagine either one turning the tables on Smack.

Live longshot: Race 5, Maiden Special Weight: #3 Oeuvfre (8-1)

Since 2016, trainer Bradlee Rainwater has compiled an excellent 21-for-96 (22%) record at Arlington Park, which includes a strong 4-for-10 (40%) resume during the current meet. Rainwater has been especially effective when saddling first-time starters, going 2-for-2 at Arlington over the last five years.

So why not respect Rainwater’s unraced filly Oeuvfre in this 5 1/2-furlong dash for juvenile fillies? The daughter of Preakness S. (G1) winner Shackleford was produced by the Kitten’s Joy mare Love This Kitten, who matured early enough to break her maiden sprinting five furlongs over the Arlington turf course as a two-year-old.

Oeuvfre has turned in several nice workouts in preparation for her debut, and jockey Edgar Perez (a 50% winner when teaming up with Rainwater) is named to ride. I’m optimistic we’ll see Oeuvfre fire a strong effort in her first run under colors.

Good luck!