NEWS
Bay to Bay, Workin for Hops win convincingly at Arlington
Posted: Saturday, May 22, 2010 8:46 PM
BAY TO BAY
FourFootedFotos.com
To view the American 1000 Guineas, click here. To view the Arlington Classic Stakes, click here.
by Mike Curry
Bay to Bay surged clear to a dominant win in the $200,000 American 1000 Guineas, and Workin for Hops coasted to a front-running win in the $100,000 Arlington Classic Stakes on Saturday at Arlington Park.
Bay to Bay was reserved in seventh early by jockey Robby Albarado in the one-mile turf race as the 1.70-to-1 second betting choice in the field of eight three-year-old fillies. The Sligo Bay (Ire) filly launched her winning bid from between horses on the final turn, closed with a powerful rally to challenge pacesetter Go Ask Alex, and shook free late to prevail by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:39.24 on turf rated as good.
Go Ask Alex held on for second, a half-length in front of 7-to-5 favorite Queen of the Creek.
Bay to Bay improved to three wins, two seconds, and one third from six career starts and boosted her earnings to $297,578. She entered off a runner-up finish in the Appalachian Stakes (G3) on April 15 at Keeneland Race Course in her season debut. Bay to Bay won the Natalma Stakes (Can-G3) at Woodbine as a juvenile for trainer Brian Lynch and owner Robert Smithen.
Bred in Florida by Adena Springs, Bay to Bay is one of three winners from as many starters out of Grade 3-placed winner Bala, by With Approval.
Workin for Hops opened a clear early lead as the 1.70-to-1 favorite in the Arlington Classic and never was seriously threatened in a 2 1/4-length win, giving Albarado a sweep of the two Arlington stakes.
The City Zip gelding won the Grindstone Stakes in March at Fair Grounds in his season debut for trainer Mike Stidham and entered the 1 1/16-mile Arlington Classic off a fifth-place finish in the American Turf Stakes (G2) on April 30 at Churchill Downs. He covered the Arlington Classic distance in 1:45.43 for his fourth win in six starts for owner Estorace.
Out of the winning Citidancer mare Citi Pearl, Workin for Hops has earned $142,976.
For Equibase charts, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
