Tajaaweed finally bagged a long awaited stakes win in the Arlington Handicap – Next target the Arlington Million
The Daniel Peitz trained six-year-old bay horse, Tajaaweed, ended his stakes' drought at Arlington Park on 9 July, 2011, by winning the Grade 3 $150,000 Arlington Handicap at Arlington Park.
Trainer Dan Peitz started contemplating about the horse’s start in the Grade 3 race since last fall, his aim was true as Tajaaweed won by 1 ½ lengths Mister Marti Gras.
Under jockey James Graham, Tajaaweed finished strongly. Now his connections are eyeing the 13 August Grade 1 Arlington Million, five weeks from now.
Tajaaweed came out in fine form on 9 July, as he looked good even after the race. Plenty of rest and then couple of breezes will get him all set up for the all so important Arlington Million.
The son of Dynaformer has been pretty disappointing throughout his career only managing to win two graded stakes races.
His first one came in the Group 3 Addleshaw Goddard Dee Stakes for colts and geldings way back on 9 May, 2008, at Chester.
Tajaaweed made a late debut in the 2011 season at Arlington Park, but it ended in a winning season debut none the less and trainer Daniel Peitz would be hoping that his bay horse kicks on from here and bag the Arlington Million to convert the late starter
into a good one.
Last year Tajaaweed participated in both, the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap and the Grade 1 Arlington Million.
Stood third in the Handicap and a far sixth in the Million, but new season brings new hope for Tajaaweed as he is expected to do a little more this season at the twilight of his 5-year career.
The Shadwell Stable owned six-year-old did himself a huge favour on 9 July when he won the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap, he gets a free ride to the Arlington Million with the nomination fees waived off after 9 July victory.
It was a sluggish start to the race at the Arlington Park, first quarter was owned by Amun Re as he made headway and slightly set the pace.
Entering in to the second quarter, interaction was headstrong as he reeled Amun Re back and pulled his way out in the front when he entered the backstretch.
This injected pace in the second quarter but slowed down again coming in to the far turn.
With jockey James Graham, Tajaaweed assumed himself into a striking position and made a decisive run to finish off his competition at the three furlong pole.
On the stretch Tajaaweed had half a length advantage that he gave him the comfort to move out wide and increase the gap between himself and his foes.
Testing times ahead for Tajaaweed as the going will get tough in the all important Arlington Million at Arlington Park on 13 August.
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