The win in the Modesty gave trainer George “Rusty” Arnold a graded stakes double on Arlington’s Million Preview Day card. Three races earlier the Kentucky-based trainer saddled Fab Oak Stable, Bobby Hurley & John Goldthorpe’s Stream Cat to win the Grade III Arlington Handicap.
Communique sat well of the pace while saving ground for three-quarters of a mile before swinging out for the drive and sprinting to a clear victory.
“Rene saved ground on the first turn and did us a great job because he knows she wants to go a little farther,” Arnold said. “When he got her free, she made a great kick.”
“Once she got going today, I didn’t want to get her stuck,” said Douglas, who picked up his third victory in the Modesty Handicap. “I went on with her. She got going around the last turn she didn’t stop. She loves this track, and she loves this distance.”
Kiss With a Twist took a brief lead in the lane before being overtaken by the eventual winner. It was another three-quarters of a length back to Ciao, who ran third in the 11-horse field.
“Every time she runs, she gets a little bit better, and she gave me everything she had today,” said Miguel Mena, who rode the runner-up. “We didn’t get beat by a bad horse, you know, and every time she runs she’s showing a little more talent.”
Royal Leah, a 15-1 outsider, made the front end from the start and led through fractions of 24.34 seconds, 49.43 seconds, 1:13.86 and 1:39.37 before giving way in the lane.
Lemon Chiffon, Ballymore Lady, On Safari, Demisemiquaver, Barbette, Royal Leah, Quiet Queen and Labar completed the order of finish.
QUOTES FOR THE MODESTY HANDICAP (GRADE III)
Rusty Arnold (trains the winner, Communique): “It’s a very good day. Rene (jockey Douglas) saved ground in the first turn and did us a great job because he knows she ants to go a little father. When he got her free, she made a good kick.”
Rene Douglas (rode winner Communique): (On his earlier spill) “I went down my ankle and it took me a race to shake it off. Today it was my left ankle. Two weeks ago, I twisted my right ankle, so now I’m even.”
About the Modesty:
“Once she got going today, I didn’t want to get her stuck. I went on with her. She got going around the last turn she didn’t stop. She loves this track, and she loves this distance.”
Miguel Mena (rode 2nd-place horse Kiss With a Twist): “Every time she runs, she gets a little bit better, and she gave me everything she had today. We didn’t get beat by a bad horse, you know, and every time she runs she’s showing a little more talent.”
Frank Kirby (trainer of Ciao, 3rd): “I thought Ciao ran a pretty nice race. She still a little bit rank on the front end of the race, but she settled down. I thought the outside post hindered her chances a little bit, but she ran a nice race.”
Shaun Bridgmohan (rode Ciao, 3rd): “I thought my horse ran pretty good, but she finished up pretty good.”