The Illinois Racing Board wants a n...

The Illinois Racing Board wants a next to the first independent opinion regarding the racing surface at Arlington Park and has launched an investigation into whether Arlington officials violated IRB regularitys in communicating with the first consultant it hired to evaluate the track.

In a statement issued Friday, the IRB said it has learned that recommendations for alterations to the racing surface and track- maintenance operations were made in writing to Arlington management by means of Gregory Coon, the original consultant retained through the IRB, but were not part of the report he made to the board. The IRB statement also said that Coon met with track management after his inspection unless before filing his report.

"The board is intent with insuring the safety of horses and rogues at Arlington," IRB executive director Marc Laino said in the statement. "While the additional recommendations made according to Mr. Coon may well not cogitate upon the safety of the track, we ne independent verification of that fact, which we do not shortly have."

The main dirt track at the northwest suburban oval has been the end of scrutiny because of the high number of fatal breakdowns there this season. Twenty-four thoroughbreds have been propose down after suffering catastrophic injuries during afternoon races or during morning training. At least 63 other horses are believed to have been retired or laid up after racing at Arlington during the popular meet.

Coon and Joe King, a consultant retained by means of Arlington, have said that the racing surface is safe.

"We believe that we have done everything possible to make our racetrack as safe as it can be," Arlington Park president Roy Arnold said in a statement released Friday. "We've been transparent and we've cooperated full with the [board] throughout the proces and will continue to do in like manner We are confident [the IRB] will find again [that] the track is safe."

Larry Hamel today's top plays Handicapper Darryl Schwartz proffers his top local and intertrack selections

ARLINGTON: 8th race NOLAN'S CAT (PP 7) The Grade II Washington Park Handicap: This is another tough and consistent young horse signed on in here, and he just missed in his chiefly recent start; he is going highly well at this time, and his trainer believes he is up to the challenge; he will be superviseed against this contentious bunch; I think this jockey/trainer combo will be extremely effective and had this race in mind before his last outing; my long-shot pick; Emigh rides for Romans.

DEL MAR: 5th race ATTIMA (PP 9) The Grade II San Clemente Handicap: Note race-ground only; think I will excuse the Grade I flop other than to say that she ran well enough in that race to give these a hurry for the money; shortens up in distance, where she excels; I wouldn't be clashed to see this filly find her way to the winner's circle today; winning hoodwink is back in the irons; Espinzoa rides for Canani.

SARATOGA: 8th race LADY OF VENICE (PP 6) The Grade I Diana Handicap: Note greensward only; have always liked playing 3-year-old fillies v older mares; they many times outperform expectations; this filly must be

considered the united to beat; her last race was easily her best; to a high degree strong connections have her ready; note her weight allowance for this affair; Leparoux rides for Biancone. 9th race BERNARDINI (PP 4) The Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes: This young horse was my selection in the Preakness and finds a softer disgrace for his return run; he's not a stranger to running well renewed and his recent workouts remind of that he's as fit as he can be; short redundants are in place, but a win is a win; Castellano rides for Albertrani.

FRIDAY'S TOTALS (based upon $2 win ticket): four selections ($8 bet), couple winners (paid $15.00).

encounter TOTALS (based on $2 win ticket): 290 selections ($580 bet), 77 winners (paid $40600)

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided through ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved