High Hopes for General Quarters in Arlington Handicap - 07-16-10

July 16 - Often in horse racing horses that seem poised for greatness fade away just as quickly as they rose to fame, General Quarters being just such a horse. However, he has good shot at a comeback in Saturday's Arlington Handicap (Gr 3).

Tomorrow at Arlington Park in Chicago, Illinois, 4-year-old colt General Quarters will go up against 10 other 3-year-olds and up over 1 1/4 miles on turf, and his trainer, Tom McCarthy, is confident his Kentucky-bred runner will be the one to beat.

General Quarters made a name for himself after he delivered a dazzling victory in the 2009 Blue Grass Stakes (Gr 1) at Keeneland Racecourse, and from there went into the prestigious 2009 Kentucky Derby (Gr 1) as one of the big favorites.

However, expectation in the 3-year-old soon turned to disappointment as he could only manage a tenth place. And although he was expected to perform better in his next start in the 2009 Preakness Stakes (Gr 1), he crossed the line in ninth place.

So in one fell swoop General Quarters went from a hero to a zero, and it didn't help matters any that soon after the Preakness he had to undergo surgery to fix an injury. A lengthy recovery meant that he was out racing for the remainder of 2009.

But that's almost where the story begins, because refusing to give up on the colt, McCarthy nursed him back to health and put him back on track in 2010. And out of five starts this year, General Quarters secured a win, three seconds and a third.

With statistics as solid as this, there's little doubt that General Quarters will be very well-backed ahead of tomorrow's Arlington Handicap where, with jockey Rafael Bejarano aboard, he'll start as the second favourite to 7-year-old horse, Just As Well.

Here is the final field and odds for the 2010 Arlington Handicap (Gr 3) at Arlington Park on Saturday:

1. Imponente Purse (BRZ) 30/1
2. Just as Well (KY) 2/1
3. Rahystrada (KY) 6/1
4. Cross Village (KY) 30/1
5. Giant Oak (IL) 8/1
6. Rumor Has It (KY) 30/1
7. Marsh Side (KY) 4/1
8. Free Fighter (IL) 15/1
9. General Quarters (KY) 7/2
10. Princeville Condo (IL) 15/1
11. Tajaaweed (KY)? 20/1