Jockey Robby Albarado Sweeps Turf Stakes at Arlington

Jockey Robby Albarado made the most of his foray to Arlington Park by capturing both of Saturday's stakes races at his old Chicago stomping grounds.  The now Kentucky-based rider took the $200,000 American 1000 Guineas with Bay to Bay and the $100,000 Arlington Classic astride Workin for Hops.

"I was well mounted and was a good passenger in both races," he said.

Robert Smithen's Bay to Bay overtook the pacesetting Go Ask Alex at the sixteenth pole and drew clear to post a 2 ½-length victory in the $200,000 American 1000 Guineas.  The daughter of Sligo Bay covered the mile over a turf course officially listed as "soft" in 1:39.24.

"This is a very nice filly," Albarado said.  "She broke alertly and at every point, she let me know she was in my hands."

The Brian Lynch-trained filly picked up her second graded stakes victory in just six starts.  Last fall, the Canadian-based miss captured the Grade III Natalma at Woodbine Race Course near Toronto.  She earned $116,400 here to push her career bankroll to $297,578.

Go Ask Alex set a moderate pace of 24.88 seconds for the opening quarter, 49.09 second for the half and a three-quarter mile split of 1:14.18 before being passed by the eventual victress.  Her rider Chris Emigh was pleased with her performance.

"I was counting my money turning for home," Emigh said.  "I had a lot of horse. I had the pace my own way.  My horse ran a winning race but the winner just went by me.  She tried hard but she couldn't quite keep up at the end."

Queen of the Creek was third in the eight-horse field, followed by Orchestrator, Chantilly Nayla, Kilmore Quay, Besitos and Lucky Lass to complete the order of finish.

Bay to Bay, the second choice in the wagering, paid $5.40, $3.60 and $2.60.  Go Ask Alex returned $6.40 and $3.40.  Queen of the Creek paid $2.40.

Barely a half an hour later, Albarado was back in the winner's circle after wiring the Arlington Classic on Estrorace LLC's Workin for Hops.  The Mike Stidham-trained son of City Zip covered the mile and a sixteenth over soft turf in 1:45.43 after fractions of 24.63 seconds, 49.14 seconds, 1:14.67 and 1:39.17.

"I looked at the form and it looked like it might be easy fractions so circumstances dictated I go on with him and it worked out," Albarado said.

The Arlington Classic was the second stakes win of the year for Workin for Hops who also captured the $60,000 Grindstone Stakes at the Fair Grounds in March.  He added $58,200 to his bankroll, which now stands at $142,976 while improving his overall record to four wins from six starts.

Alfarabi rallied from mid pack to get up for the place spot and it was another length and a half back to Gleam of Hope.

"Settled good; ran good; finished good; firmer ground, different race," said a very matter-of-fact James Graham, who rode the runner up.

Workin for Hope paid $5.40, $3.60 and $3.  Alfarabi returned $6.60 and $2.40.  Gleam of Hope paid $4.60.

Mister Marti Gras, Our Champion, Family Foundation, Indy Scent and Summer Movie completed the order of finish.