Arlington ‘Cap Winner Just as Well Doing Well Sunday

In Today's Notes: 

• Arlington ‘Cap Winner Just as Well Doing Well Sunday
• Modesty ‘Cap Heroine Pure Clan Given Beverly D. Plan
• American Derby Hero a ‘Reb' With a Probable Cause
• Jockey ‘E.T.' Rides Five Winners on ‘Out of this World' Day

ARLINGTON ‘CAP WINNER JUST AS WELL DOING WELL SUNDAY
Jonathan Sheppard's Just as Well, one-length winner of Saturday's Grade III Arlington Handicap as the final local prep for Arlington Million XXVII less than four weeks away on Aug. 8, came out of that run in good order and got back to his temporary base of operations in Western Pennsylvania early Sunday morning.

"I think he's fine," said Sheppard, speaking over the phone Sunday morning.  "He got back to Presque Isle Downs (in Erie, Pa.) at about 5 a. m. this morning."  Asked if Just as Well would come back to Chicago for the Arlington Million Sheppard added, "That's the plan, if they don't make it too tough."

Nick Mamatas and John Kerber's Gentleman Chester, runner-up in the Arlington ‘Cap, was also doing well Sunday morning.

"He's fine," said trainer Ralph Nicks on Sunday before indicating that the Arlington Million was an unlikely target.  "That might be a little ambitious.  I'd say probably not."

Flying Zee Stable's Cosmonaut third in Saturday's Million prep, left Chicago early Sunday with no reported problems, as did John Chandler's Thabazimi who left Arlington late Saturday night after finishing seventh in the race as the second choice in the wagering.

Chrysalis Stables' Silverfoot, sixth in the Arlington ‘Cap but fourth in the 2008 Arlington Million, came out of Saturday's effort in good order and remains at Arlington with undetermined future plans. 

MODESTY ‘CAP HEROINE PURE CLAN GIVEN BEVERLY D. PLAN
Lewis Lakin's Pure Clan, two and a half-lengths the best in Saturday's Grade III Modesty Handicap as the local preview of the Grade I Beverly D. Stakes Aug. 8, came out of her race well and is on target for a return in the Arlington Million's sister race, according to trainer Bob Holthus, contacted in Louisville, Ky., Sunday morning.

"The boys told me she was fine when they put her on the van this morning," said Holthus.  "She's on her way back to Louisville right now."

Asked if Pure Clan would be pointed toward the $750,000 Beverly D., Holthus said, "We sure plan to if things stay as they are."

Modesty ‘Cap runner-up Tizaqueena, owned by Darley Stable, came out of the race "real good" according to her trainer Mike Stidham.  Asked about Tizaqueena's probability for the Beverly D., Stidham added, "We're certainly going to take a look at it.  We're going to see who all comes and then decide."

John Chandler's Dynaforce, third in the Modesty ‘Cap, left Arlington Saturday night in good order and remains a possibility for a Beverly D. return.

AMERICAN DERBY HERO A ‘REB' WITH A PROBABLE CAUSE
Ashbrook Farm's Reb, hero of Saturday's Grade II American Derby, middle leg of Arlington's Mid-America Triple that concludes the Grade I Secretariat Stakes Aug. 8, would appear to be likely for a return in the Triple's last leg after leaving Arlington on a van at 8 a.m. Sunday morning in fine fettle.

Trainer Rusty Arnold did not come up from his Lexington, Ky., base of operations for Saturday's $300,000 American Derby and was reportedly on vacation in the Bahamas.

Virginia Tarra Trust's Giant Oak, odds-on choice in the American Derby but a disappointing fifth at the wire, also came out of the race in good order and remains a possibility for the Secretariat, according to trainer Chris Block.

"He's fine this morning," said Block, speaking on the apron at Arlington Sunday morning during training hours of his trainee who won the 75th anniversary edition of the Arlington Classic as the Triple's first leg.  The American Derby favorite, as well as second choice Oil Man, owned by Michael Talla, who finished third but was disqualified and placed fifth, were both victims of rough trips in the stretch run.

"It was all over after that," said Block.  "He was a floundering duck at the eighth pole, but I'm not making excuses.  He just got beat.  I'm disappointed.  We'll see how he does over the next couple of weeks."

Oil Man, the winner of Hollywood's Grade III Cinema Handicap June 21 as a trainee of California-based John Sadler, remains at Arlington in the care of Chicago-based Mike Stidham and is probable for the Secretariat.

JOCKEY ‘E.T.' RIDES FIVE WINNER'S ON ‘OUT OF THIS WORLD' DAY
Leading Arlington Park reinsman E. T. Baird rode five winners on Saturday's Million Preview Day program - including three stakes - and is now three wins shy of the 2,000-win milestone in his career.

Baird, 42, the Chicago-born son of the late Chicago-based reinsman Bobby Baird, culminated Saturday's winning quintet with a tally aboard Jonathan Sheppard's Just as Well in the $200,000 Arlington Handicap after taking down winning honors in the $200,000 Arlington Sprint in the previous race astride Encore Racing Stable's Yankee Injunuity.

Other Saturday scores by Baird came in the third race on Scarlet Stable's Big Rushlet, in the fourth on Frank Calabrese's Sedona Belle, and in the $53,300 Diamond Ring Stakes astride Calabrese's Romacaca.

"This is probably one of the best days I've ever had around here," said Baird immediately after the racing program.  "I knew I had some good horses to ride today, but I try not to ‘overthink' these things.  I just try to play things as they work out.  If things follow that way - all the better. 

 
"The best part is for me to be around here after riding here for 25 years," said Baird.  "There are just so many that can happen in this sport.  I wouldn't even have to be leading rider here to be happy, or get to 2,000 wins.  I'm just happy to still be here."

Baird has never won a riding title at Arlington, but leads the standings through Saturday with 51 wins, seven more than his nearest pursuer.