A short Preview Day recap

About 7 weeks ago Racing 411 with Brian W. Spencer

Not too much to say about Preview Day, as all three winners were very deserving.

TUSCAN EVENING was allowed to set ridiculous fractions, and once they clocked a lethargic 3/4 of a mile, there was simply no catching her. Will she get away like that in the Beverly D? If so, she'll be long gone there too. RAINBOW VIEW seemed to get a curious ride, in my opinion, as she has a bit of tactical pace but was taken back near the rear of the field chasing the walk they were going up front -- she had absolutely no chance turning for home, and I think she's better than she showed.

WORKIN FOR HOPS got an absolutely brilliant ride by Cisco Torres on Saturday. All of his main competition was far back in the field, and 'HOPS was just on cruise control heading into the far turn with some cheaper speed along with him. Rather than waiting for the quarter pole to give him some run, he cut the horse loose about 3/8 of a mile out, opened up a big lead, and left the closers with far too much to do. It proved key, and the horse seems to absolutely adore this Arlington turf course. While the very excellent PADDY O'PRADO may be in town for the Secretariat off an impressive Virginia Derby score, I see no reason why WORKIN FOR HOPS can't pull the same move and find out what PADDY is made of as that guy motors from the back of the pack.

Very glad to see RAHYSTRADA get the job done in the Arlington Handicap. He sat a great trip, ran on well when asked, and answered my questions about whether he wanted 10 furlongs or not. He could be overlooked in the Million, as he doesn't class up with the best there is out there, but he tries hard and could snag a slice at a nice price. TAJAAWEED was perhaps the most impressive runner in there for me, as he's normally a stalking type, but his rider Mike Baze had to make a decision about 1/8 of a mile in -- go 5-wide on the first turn or take back and try to make a late run. He chose the latter -- the right decision, if you ask me -- but it took the horse out of his preferred running style. The pair of them saved ground, rallied sharply in between horses, and ran on for 3rd. I hope they go the Million route, as I think he'll be entirely overlooked in there, and I'd be happy to bet him again in that spot.

It was a great day of racing, and that means we're only weeks from the Arlington Million -- my favorite local racing day of the year!