The Arlington-Washington Futurity & Lassie at Arlington Park in Photos

On Saturday, Arlington Park hosted the Arlington-Washington Lassie and Arlington-Washington Futurity (Gr. III), both 7 furlongs on the Polytrack. For two-year-old fillies and two-year-olds, respectively, it was the 82nd running of each race.

Incepted in another era, when people from all walks of life flooded into area racetracks each weekend, the Futurity was originally the Arlington Futurity Stakes. In 1962, it was consolidated with the old Washington Park Race Track’s Washington Park Futurity Stakes to form the Arlington-Washington Futurity. The following year, the Arlington Lassie was re-named the Arlington-Washington Lassie.

These humble races host a prestigious history, and their lists of winners name some of the best horses to run on American dirt. Buckpasser is the highlight of the Futurity winners, but more recent notable winners include Hansel, Spend A Buck, and Bet Twice.

The Arlington-Washington Lassie, despite its current listed stakes status, has a longer list of prominent winners, including many top producers. Winners that developed into champions include She Be Wild, Eliza, Dearly Precious, Bewitch, Twilight Tear, Mata Hari, and Hall of Famer Top Flight. Winners that excelled as producers include Silver Maiden (second dam of Dreaming of Sophia and dam of 2007 Arlington-Washington Lassie winner Dreaming of Liz), Mariah’s Storm (dam of Giant’s Causeway), Admiring (dam of 1993 Broodmare of the Year Glowing Tribute, who in turn produced Sea Hero, Wild Applause, Hero’s Honor, Glowing Honor, and others), Monarchy (fourth dam of Pulpit), Delta (1968 Broodmare of the Year), and Blue Delight (fourth dam of Alydar).

A fire destroyed Washington Park Race Track in 1977 but, for now, a part of the old track lives on through the Arlington-Washington Futurity and Lassie.

Favored Diadura, winner of a 5-furlong maiden special weight at Arlington Park last out, relished the extra two furlongs of the Arlington-Washington Lassie. With Carlos Marquez, Jr., aboard, the Hard Spun filly forced her way between rivals on the turn and was bumped before opening up in the stretch to win by 5–½ lengths. It was the second win in as many starts for the Michael Stidham trainee.

Favored Wellabled returned home from an excursion to Saratoga — where he finished second by a head in the listed Skidmore Stakes — to run in the Arlington-Washington Futurity. The Shackleford colt wowed the crowd on Million Preview Day when he won a maiden special weight by 7–½ lengths.

He proved that win was no fluke by taking the lead early in the Futurity and, never under pressure, drawing away to an equally impressive 7–¾ length win under E. T. Baird. The Larry Rivelli trainee seems to relish the Polytrack and will be an exciting colt to watch.