Shogood Looks to Step Up at Arlington

Last time out July 16 on the all-weather track at Arlington International Racecourse, William Stiritz's Shogood strode to an easy 7 3/4-length victory in impressive gate-to-wire style.

The win was his first for trainer Scott Becker, and his first at the five-furlong distance after trying the Arlington Polytrack with a runner-up debut after showing the way going 4 1/2 furlongs.  

On Aug. 22 the Nobiz Like Shobiz   colt returns to stretch out to seven furlongs and step up in company in the $100,000 Arlington-Washington Futurity (gr. III), departing from post 4 in a field of 13 with local veteran Chris Emigh in the irons.

Tremont Stakes victor Cocked and Loaded is the only runner in the bunch with a stakes score, but the Colonel John   colt will need to rebound from a poor showing in the July 25 Sanford Stakes (gr. III) at Saratoga Race Course.

One of two runners trained by Larry Rivelli for the seven-furlong 2-year-old test, Cocked and Loaded finished sixth of 10 in the Sanford when he was in tight while dropping back late after chasing off the pace. Jose Valdivia Jr. rides for the first time here from post 8.

It will be the first time on a synthetic surface for Richard Ravin and Patricia's Hope's runner, who used a Keeneland maiden special weight victory at first asking on dirt in the spring to prep for the win in the Tremont at Belmont Park by half a length. He is the 122-pound highweight in the field; all others carry 118.

Multiple runners come in with success locally, including recent maiden winners Discreetness, Richie the Bull (the other Rivelli trainee), and O No Not U Again. Will Munnings and Van Damme are others who won last out, the former at Ellis Park for trainer William Fires and the latter at Presque Isle Downs & Casino.

Express Thoroughbreds' Discreetness and Godolphin Racing's maiden Astrologist each enter the Futurity off sharp 1-2 finishes in an Aug. 6 maiden event going 5 1/2 furlongs. Each debuting with a visible degree of professionalism, they finished nearly 10 lengths clear of the third-place finisher that day, with Discreetness defeating his rival by 1 3/4 lengths. Also trained by Fires, the son of Discreet Cat   gets the return services of E.T. Baird from post 2. 

One of interest is the Michael Stidham-trained D. Shifflett, who broke his maiden at first asking July 17 at Del Mar with a five-wide rally going five furlongs. The Valid Expectations colt has put in two works on the Arlington course, including a five-furlong bullet Aug. 15 in 1:00.

Air America is the only other runner with stakes experience in the field, a lackluster sixth in the July 18 Prairie Gold Juvenile Stakes at Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino.

Maidens Missle Bomb, Cortege, and Congrats Given complete the field.

Congrats Given, who will be making his debut in the Futurity for trainer Mike Campbell and owner Mellon Patch Inc., is by Congrats   out of Turko's Turn, which makes him a half-brother to champion Point Given  . On the strength of two bullet works—including a six-furlong gate move in 1:12 4/5 on Aug. 9—Congrats Given breaks from post 12 under Tim Thornton.