Track tips for Saturday, Oct. 20
In conjunction with Arlington Park, I'll be conducting a Trackside OTB tour on selected weekend days through the end of the year.
Today I'll be hanging out at the Waukegan OTB (630 S. Green Bay Rd) from 1 to 5 p.m. The OTB visits are very casual, and the intent is to just talk racing and compare handicapping angles and strategy.
For the complete schedule of OTV visits, punch up www.arlingtonpark.com.
On Thursday evening at Trackside Arlington, I'll participate in a Breeders' Cup seminar from Monmouth Park. Hosted by racing aficionado Steve Leving with analysis from local high strike trainer Larry Rivelli, the event will take place from 7 to 9 p.m., and all in attendance will receive a complementary edition of the Breeders' Cup Advance edition and a special tip sheet put together by seminar panelists.
I'm will be a part of the Breeders' Cup notes team this year and will be phoning in to participate in the seminar with the latest scoop from New Jersey.
• Now at the tail end of his 5-year-old campaign, defending Illinois-bred Horse of the Year Fort Prado has embarked on a new career of sorts. A multiple stakes winner around two turns on turf, he may now be one of the most feared grassy dashers in the Midwest after taking down Thursday's Woodford Stakes at Keeneland. It was the second consecutive turf sprint victory for the Chris Block charge, who was sent off at generous odds of 9-2 among the field of 10.
There are some national races with local interest to pay attention to this weekend. On Saturday the Shannon Ritter-trained West Coast Swing, who was highly impressive in a pair of Arlington victories, will be one of the lukewarm favorites for the Grade II Raven Run over 7 furlongs. On Sunday at Woodbine, the turf warrior Cloudy's Knight, fresh off his score in the Grade II Sky Classic over the same course, will go to battle in the $2 million Grade I Canadian International.
Hawthorne
Best bet: Iron Rogue (9th)
Price play: Cativating Lady (6th)
Contact: joedakracing@aol.com