Friday, July 20, 2007


Jul. 20, 2007 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
A triumvirate of stakes winners return to the races this weekend. Jay Em Ess Stable's Arson Squad, Gustav Schickedanz's Last Answer and Spring Hill Farm's Pleasant Strike will compete against contentious fields in graded stakes company.

Pleasant Strike, who captured the 1 1/16-miles Grade Three Arlington Classic Stakes on June 23 at Arlington Park by 3 3/4-lengths, is poised for the second leg of the Mid America Triple, the 1 3/16-miles American Derby Saturday at Arlington Park. A son of Grade One winner Smart Strike, the Virginia-bred colt was bred by Spring Hill Farm's Edward Evans.

Pleasant Strike is conditioned by Todd Pletcher, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens. Pleasant Strike will have Rene Douglas in the irons.

'I thought Pleasant Strike's victory in the Arlington Classic Stakes was pretty impressive,' said Stevens. 'I think he has a real shot on Saturday. He's an improving horse.'

Pleasant Strike from eight starts has three wins, two seconds and one third, and has bankrolled $150,970.

Last Answer is looking to return to the winner's circle. The great grandson of Northern Dancer returns to the races in the Grade Two 1 1/2-miles Northern Dancer Breeders' Cup Stakes on the turf Sunday afternoon at Woodbine.

The 7-year-old gelded son of Langfuhr is campaigned by Gustav Schickedanz and placed second in the 2006 edition of the same race. Last Answer is trained by Mike Keogh.

Jay Em Ess' Arson Squad returns to the races after a 5 1/2-month layoff in the Grade Two 1 1/16-miles San Diego Handicap at Del Mar. The 3-year-old gelded dark bay son of Grade One winner Brahms won the Grade Two Strub Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Feb. 3.

Arson Squad has bankrolled $564,450, is conditioned by Bruce Headley, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0324-18281374


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