Muppet Man prevailed in the Meadowlake Stakes on August 4 at Arlington Park in his prep race for the Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3). (Photo Courtesy of Four Footed Fotos)
Run over a one-turn mile on the synthetic Polytrack surface, the Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3) hasn’t produced a winner of true importance since Cactus Ridge way back in 2003.
Seven males and one female are on the program for Saturday’s contest at Arlington Park, the filly Scissortail G entered here after being excluded from the Arlington-Washington Lassie (G3).
Trainer Jimmy DiVito is a monster with 2-year-olds, and probable race favorite Muppet Man may be the most talented one he’s unleashed this summer. He’s won both career starts by open lengths, including the Meadowlake Stakes, the local Futurity prep, and is well drawn on the rail here. The Futurity is not overloaded with early speed. He can go if nobody else does, or sit in the pocket if a pair decides to battle. By Corinthian out of a Touch Gold mare, pedigree shouldn’t be an issue.
A distant third in his career debut on the dirt main track at Churchill Downs, Pataky Kid returned in five weeks to test the Arlington Polytrack. Rated near the back of that seven-furlong pack, he grinded it out five wide from the turn through the stretch and got up to edge Tulira Castle, who has since returned to score an impressive maiden breaker of his own for DiVito. Pataky Kid fired consecutive bullet workouts leading into this, but by Rockport Harbor out of a Gold Case mare, I’m not quite sold he wants a mile.
Much like Pataky Kid, Mylute, the son of freshman sire Midnight Lute, was just average in his career debut on Churchill dirt, finishing a distant third at 20-1. Trainer Tom Amoss thought enough of the performance to ship him to Iowa for the Prairie Gold Juvenile Stakes, and he nearly overcame a nightmare trip but settled for second. He returned to the maiden ranks to test the Arlington Polytrack and overcame some adversity to score a sharp victory. He’s trained sharply since, and Amoss did win this race last year with Shared Property.
My Selections:
Muppet Man
Pataky Kid
Mylute
$150,000 Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3)
Saturday, Arlington Park, Race 7, 5:18 p.m. EDT
2-year-olds, one mile (all weather track)
PP, Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Muppet Man (KY), J. Sanchez, 120, J P DiVito
2. Ultimo Trago (IL), C. Roman, 118, B Williamson
3. Pataky Kid (OK), G.K. Gomez, 118, T F Proctor
4. Stormin Monarcho (KY), S.B. Martinez, 118, J Berndt
5. Glenco Kid (KY), T. Thornton, 118, M L Reavis
6. Urban Renewal (OH), F.C. Torres, 118, R M Gorham
7. Scissortail G (OK), C. Hill, 115, D K Von Hemel
8. Mylute (KY), J. Graham, 118, T M Amoss
