The $400,000 St. Leger Stakes is the first major stakes race of the day August 16 at Arlington Park as eleven three year-olds are scheduled to line up for the one mile and eleven sixteenths marathon on the turf.
The field draws four European imports including the 3/1 morning line favorite Dandino. Bred in Great Britain, Dandino has enjoyed success in North America winning last year’s St. Leger Stakes and placing second in the Grade I Canadian International at Woodbine in 2012. However, Dandino is coming off two dismal performances in his native country, finishing sixth in a pair of Group II races – the Hardwicke and Prince of Wales. Still, international superstar jockey Frankie Dettori takes the mount for trainer Marco Botti and Dandino must be taken seriously despite the short price.
At 9/2, The Pizza Man is sharp and fresh off back to back stakes wins including the Grade III Stars N Stripes in his last start. The Pizza Man has eleven wins in sixteen lifetime starts. As a son of 2007 Breeder’s Cup Turf winner English Channel, the added distance does not figure to be a problem for The Pizza Man whose early speed should also bolster his chances. The Pizza Man will be going for his fifth straight win.
Eye of The Storm (6/1 ML) looks like a major player in this race for trainer Aiden O’Brien. The Irish-bred colt is fresh off a mile and a half win the Group III Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown. Like the other Euro shippers, he will add Lasix for the first time. Eye of The Storm should feel the medication and will be running late.
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