Roman Approval Figures in Arlington Handicap

Arlington International Racecourse's Arlington Handicap (gr. IIIT) isn't the strongest of fields, but it does offer a solid handicapping puzzle for bettors; and for owners offers a pass into the meet's signature Arlington Million XXXIV (gr. IT) Aug. 13.

Midwest types include Roman Approval, one of two in the field trained by Mike Maker, who ran second behind The Pizza Man in last year's Stars and Stripes Stakes (gr. IIIT) at 1 1/2 miles. The Arlington Handicap is run at 1 3/16 miles and has a $125,000 purse; Roman Approval also is entered in the Stars and Stripes on Saturday's Arlington card.

Quiet Force, last year's Arlington Handicap winner returns, albeit with different connections. The 6-year-old Dynaformer horse was claimed in early February by Imaginary Stables and Aventura Stable and returns to Chicago under the care of trainer Peter Walder.

Of note in the Arlington 'Cap field is Peter Vegso's Go Around, trained by Bill Mott, a grade III-placed son of Medaglia d'Oro who figures to bounce back off an eighth-place finish in Belmont Park's grade Man o' War Stakes (gr. IT).

Diane Perkins' Kasaqui, trained by Ignacio Correas, nearly stole the show June 18 at Churchill Downs getting caught late by Pleuven in the Wise Dan Stakes (gr. IIT). A 6-year-old horse by Lasting Approval, Kasaqui was an impressive allowance winner at Keeneland in April.

The German-bred Messi, winner of last fall's Knickerbocker Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Aqueduct, figures to be tighter off his 2016 bow behind the good Ironicus in the Ft. Marcy Stakes (gr. IIIT) May 7 at Belmont.