Is the Fourth of July really around the corner?

This summer has been steam rolling along here at Arlington with plenty of great racing still to come. Of course, I'm looking forward to the marquee events of the season like Million Preview Day here on July 12 and Arlington Million Day on Saturday, August 9, which features our three Grade I races!

Like many of you, I've read trainer Steve Asmussen's comments that there is a chance Horse of the Year Curlin could run next in the Arlington Handicap on July 12.  Another option being a trip to Belmont Park for the Man O' War. Sure I hope Steve opts for our Chicago option so we all can see this great Champion compete here. Let's see what happens. And don't forget, there are three outstanding races on that Preview Day card, including the Modesty and Grade III American Derby for three-year-olds.  Hope to see all of you come out to support the card (whoever runs).  And a Breakfast at Arlington is planned for that day too!

Many regulars know I really enjoy European racing. Did anyone else happen to see that $11.7 million dollar Godolphin buy Meydan City make his three-year-old debut at Newmarket on July 21 (thanks to our good friends at HRTV for coverage)? The Saeed Bin Suroor trainee finished third in a one mile maiden race (class four). According to the chart from racingpost.co.uk, "his connections felt it was important to get him on the track to understand more about the racing game." Let's see if he moves forward off that debut or becomes The Green Monkey.

Speaking of a promising maiden debut closer to our shores of Lake Michigan, How about that $2.1 million Darley newcomer Desert Party, who cruised home to an eye catching first out win here on Sunday?! Under Rene Douglas, and breaking from post 11, Desert Party swept past Supreme Day with a furlong and a half to go and just rolled home in 51-4/5 for the four-and-a-half furlongs on polytrack. Will try to keep an eye out for the entries to see where he pops up next. And give credit to trainer Eoin Harty, not only for a good training job, but for wearing his New York Yankee cap in the winners circle here on Cubs/Sox rivalry weekend. And  Arlington Entertainment Reporter Lauren Massarella still seen crying in her latte for the Sox being swept (no word whether Lauren will have matching shoes for her Ozzie Guillen jersey this weekend)!

I always enjoy Prairie State Festival Day at Arlington (June 21). It's fun to watch state breds have their big day in the sun. A special congratulations to Chris Block and Christine Janks, both who come loaded with equine ammo on this day. The Block Stable had a good day with a couple of wins (Apple Martini/Amazing Results) and another gutty try by Millionaire Fort Prado, who ran second in his attempt to win the Black Tie Affair for four years in a row. And trainer Christine Janks made it three White Oak Handicaps in a row as Mighty Rule (with James Graham) defeated, among others High Expectations, who was eyeing a White Oak three-peat.

I also thought it was cool to see Earlie Fires, who earlier this meet moved into ninth All Time on the jockey win list edging past Sandy Hawley, capture the first stakes of Prairie State Festival Day with Magnetic Miss, who's really thriving here this summer. Way to go Earlie!

Hope all of you have been having a great summer! Look forward to seeing you at Arlington soon!