We return to the two-year-old ranks for Episode 243 of Chicago Race of the Day! The Arlington 4th on Thursday, July 28 is a maiden special weight for Illinois-bred juvenile fillies, going five furlongs on the main track. It’s an interesting field including five new faces — and, so rarely for a two-year-old race in Chicago, no Larry Rivelli entrant.

For Episode 242 of Chicago Race of the Day, we delve into a very well-matched bunch of older starter allowance mares going a mile on the turf. It’s a division that has been a revolving door all year, meaning it’s a great place to look for a horse who may well get ignored on the tote, and has a reason to step up and run a race that few will be expecting.

Fortunately, there’s just such a horse in this field, so listen on!

Episode 241 of Chicago Race of the Day returns to the maiden ranks for Saturday’s Arlington 2nd, a maiden claiming turf mile. There’s a little pedigree handicapping, a little form handicapping, and a little time to confront a situation that underscores why, when handicapping, even rules that seem like they are approaching “absolute”…are never quite as absolute as they seem.

So, join me for a look at this turf maiden!

For Episode 240 of Chicago Race of the Day, we look at Friday’s sixth race at Arlington: a top-shelf allowance on the main track. It drew a field of seven, including plenty of short-priced fireworks up front, making it a nice spot to take a stand against them.

So, join me for a look at some of the best main-track sprinters on the grounds, and let’s beat some chalk!

Racing gets back into action at Arlington Park on Thursday, and Chicago Race of the Day is here! We delve into the fifth race, a first-level Illinois allowance sprint on the main track for horses three and up. The field of seven features one of the most exciting maiden winners of the Arlington meet so far, so let’s dive in and get to know them!

I apologise in advance that the audio quality is not what you’re used to. My podcasting mic has died. So, until time and money allow me to get a new one, I will have to record this using a microphone that is not nearly as good.

For Episode 238 of Chicago Race of the Day, we get back on the main track for the day’s third race: a top-shelf allowance-optional for older fillies and mares, going six furlongs. It’s a field of six, but it’s a good field. Furthermore, it’s not exactly full of the usual suspects. Two of them are familiar faces from races of this level in Chicago in recent years, but the other four are newer faces, including several shippers.

Let’s dive in!

Happy Million Preview Day!

Saturday’s card at Arlington features a lot of turf racing and a lot of stakes! For Episode 237 of Chicago Race of the Day, we delve into the Listed American Derby, the local prep for the Bruce D. Stakes (G1) next month, the race formerly known as the Secretariat. The American Derby covers a mile and a sixteenth on the grass, and drew a well-subscribed field, eleven three-year-olds. It’s a mix of locals and raiders, experienced stakes horses and new faces…so let’s see who has a shot!

I’ll be delving into the Arlington Stakes (G3) and the Modesty Handicap (G3) tomorrow on Board Hitters and Bourbon with Joe Wulffe of the Daily Gallop, so make sure to stay tuned on Twitter for that! Just as I did the last time we covered stakes races on his show, I’ll post a short Twitter thread afterwards summarizing my main thoughts, as well.

But right now, let’s talk American Derby!

We stay on the polytrack for Episode 236 of Chicago Race of the Day, with rain overnight and in the forecast for Friday. It’s a $25,000 maiden claimer going five and a half furlongs on the polytrack. The race drew a field of eight…with no first-time starters, but a lot of class moves, both up and down.

From weather to pace setup to class moves, there’s a lot to figure through, so let’s get to it!

Episode 235 of Chicago Race of the Day jumps into a salty starter allowance at a mile and a sixteenth on the polytrack; with rain in the forecast, it makes sense to stay on the main. We think through the pace scenario, make sense of the entrants, find a long shot for underneath, and point out what to watch for on the tote board.

Let’s get to it!

Sunday’s fourth race at Arlington Park is another first for the meet: the first two-year-old maiden claiming race of the year. In Episode 234 of Chicago Race of the Day, I take a moment to say a few words about why I find the first juvenile maiden claimer of the year compelling…and then, of course, delve into the relevant patterns of pedigree and connections.

Let’s get to it!

For Episode 233 of Chicago Race of the Day? Let’s stay out of the maiden ranks and look at the older allowance horses instead. The two chalks are speed horses, but who really has a shot to rise to the challenge when the speed horses get in a battle?

Let’s dive into the field and find out!

Yesterday we looked at the two-year-olds. For Episode 232, it’s time for Friday’s Arlington 5th, a polytrack sprint for salty older horses. We begin with a short discussion about some little things about this race that highlight why I love horse racing so much…and then delve into the handicapping, of course!

The new racing week gets underway on Thursday, July 8. And, what better way to get into the new race week than to get to know some new faces?

The sixth race on Thursday, July 8 is a maiden special weight polytrack sprint for two-year-olds. The race drew a field of eight — two who have raced at Arlington already, and six more who have yet to hit the racetrack. So, join me for a look at their pedigrees and connections, and lets make sense of this baby race!

Sunday racing is a regular occurrence at Arlington Park for the next month and a half. Episode 230 of Chicago Race of the Day takes a dive into the 4th race on Sunday: a three-year-old allowance-optional, N1X or $75,000 claiming, going a mile and a sixteenth on the polytrack. It’s an interesting bunch: and should be ripe for a winner at a square price, since I have serious questions about both of the Larry Rivelli entrants, no matter which one of them stays in the field.

So, join me for a look at the race!

Episode 229 of Chicago Race of the Day brings us to Saturday’s opener, a N1X/$75,000 for three-year-old fillies, going six furlongs on the polytrack. It’s not a huge field, but it is a very nice one, including the local return of the most impressive Arlington Park maiden winner of 2020.

Join me for an in-depth look at the field…as well as a discussion of what you should think of when shippers come to visit Arlington, since one of the runners has raced all over the eastern half of the country, but is making her first trip to Chicago.