How to Bet the 2019 Chicago Handicap

Nine fillies and mares will go seven panels on the Arlington Park main surface in the $100,000 Chicago Handicap (G3) on Saturday. The race goes through morning-line favorite Hotshot Anna, who dominated this race by 5 3/4 lengths in 2018. STUDENT BODY (#1) (4-1) -- Stakes winner draws the rail for a second run at Arlington Park. Five-year-old daughter of Colonel John was a 9 3/4-length romper in a lone previous appearance here and comes in with a bullet five-eighths on the course most recently. Sophie Doyle has the call and will be sending the mare from the opening bell. MY MERTIE (#2) (15-1) -- Bay daughter of Magna Graduate steps up in class for her second outing of 2019. Michele Boyce trainee has won or placed in 10 of 11 tries on this all-weather oval, but she will need a career best to challenge a nice field today. HOTSHOT ANNA (#3) (5-2) -- Defending champ concluded 2018 with a trio of stakes wins, capped by a facile triumph in the Presque Isle Downs Masters (G2) for Hugh Robertson. The synthetic standout has trained forwardly in preparation of her seasonal debut, and her best makes her the one to beat in her return. Jose Valdivia Jr. will be in the silks. HEAVENLY HILL (#4) (5-1) -- Chris Hartman charge was a sharp allowance winner sprinting on the course most recently and has finished in the top three in each of her six local assignments to date. City Zip mare will need improvement to challenge this fine field, though. TOUGH IRMA (#5) (12-1) – Cipriano Contreras trainee tired late in the Matron (G3) most recently and should relish the cut back in distance today. Four-year-old daughter of Stormy Atlantic has missed the frame in five straight dating back to last campaign, and she looks hard to back with confidence beneath Jermaine Bridgmohan. EXCESSIVESPENDING (#6) (9-2) -- Interesting sort is a proven stakes-caliber turf sprinter making a local and synthetic debut in this affair. In-form daughter of Shackleford could be any kind on the all-weather track as the wildcard in the field. The chestnut will be forwardly placed in the second flight early on. ALWAYS BELIEVE (#7) (10-1) -- Dark bay six-year-old was a nice allowance winner on the green at Indiana Grand last time out. Archarcharch mare will need to improve in a hurry in making her graded stakes debut if she is to challenge for a piece. ANNATHELA (#8) (8-1) -- Rusty Arnold pupil was outrun in the Winning Colors (G3) at Churchill Downs and comes into the field making her initial try on a synthetic surface. Elusive Quality mare has a nice turn of foot and could surprise with a top-three effort if she takes to the oval. Edgar Perez will be in the stirrups. BABYBLUESBDANCING (#9) (20-1) -- Sky Mesa mare was a non-factor in the race in 2018 when sixth, and she failed to challenge for a win in her final six outings last season. Five-year-old dons a solid 9-4-1-1 mark at Arlington Park but she will need a lifetime best to make an impact against this cast off the six-month absence. ANALYSIS Student Body looks to be the pace of the race from her rail post. The bay will be tracked through solid splits by Hotshot Anna, Heavenly Hill and Excessivespending. WAGER $20 Exacta 3 with 1,6 = $40 $10 Exacta  1,6 with 3 = $20 $1 Superfecta 3 with 1,6 with 1,6,8 with all = $24 PHOTO: Hotshot Anna (c) Coady Photography/Arlington Park