Mystic Lake Derby and Mystic Lake Mile winners race Saturday at Arlington
Faraway Kitten, winner of the June 22 Mystic Lake Derby at Canterbury is entered to race in the $150,000 American Derby (G3) at Arlington Park in suburban Chicago Saturday. Post time for the 1 1/16 mile turf race is 5:19 central. Adam Beschizza will be aboard for trainer Mike Maker and Eclipse Award winning owners Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey. Faraway Kitten is 8 to 1 on the morning line. The favorite in the 13-horse field is Flying Scotsman, a winner of two of three starts in California but unseen since a Grade 3 victory November 25 at Del Mar.
One race prior to the American Derby, local hero Nobrag Justfact, the Mystic Lake Mile winner June 22, faces nine others in the Arlington Handicap (G3) at 1 3/16 miles on the turf. Eddie Martin, Jr. will travel to Chicago for the mount for trainer Eric Heitzmann and owners Super XLIV. Also entered is defeated Mystic Lake Mile favorite Spooky Channel who finished a non-threatening sixth to Nobrag Justfact . My Bariley, tenth in the Mystic Lake Mile, draws the outside post in the Arlington Handicap.
Heitzmann feels that the added ground at Arlington will be just what Nobrag Justfact needs. The 4-year-old colt, who has won three of 12 starts and $194,064 in purses, has never raced beyond 1 1/16 miles.
They Come and They Go
Jockey Elvin Gonzalez has packed his tack and headed back to New Mexico where he will ride at Albuquerque Downs. He won with nine of 93 mounts at Canterbury and hit the board at a 43 
percent clip. That leaves jockey agent Richard Grunder with one rider’s book: Jareth Loveberry is currently fourth at Canterbury with 25 wins.
Live Racing Takes A Break
Following the July 14 racing program, there will be no live racing until July 25. This hiatus makes way for set-up and tear-down of the Twin Cities Summer Jam three-day music extravaganza July 18-20. Training hours have been adjusted to accommodate the process. Simulcast and casino play remains unchanged throughout the break.
The return of live racing brings a busy weekend with Cocktail Classic on Friday, July 26; Wiener Dogs & Donuts the 27th; and Leg Up Fund Day July 28. If you wish to make a donation to assist injured jockeys and support Leg Up you can do so that day or look here.
