Jim Arledge, Jr. has three chances tonight in Cleveland

by Jay Wolf

Starting in the early 1990s, Jim Arledge, Jr. has been one of the top conditioners in the state of Ohio.

As the state has rebounded with increased purses and higher quality stock, Arledge is seeing a rebirth as well. The Orient, OH-based Arledge will have three of the top choices in tonight’s $320,000 (div.) Buckeye Stallion Series Finals at Northfield Park.

The Buckeye Stallion Series was created a few years back as a second tier opportunity for Ohio breds.

Dancin Dragon (Post #7; Dan Noble) is the 2-1 choice in the $40,000 3-year-old colt pace. The Dragon Again—McDance Desire gelding has won five of his last seven starts including a 1:52.4 mile during the Montgomery County Fair meet at Hollywood Dayton Raceway in his last start.

“He is not a top of the line horse. But the Stallion Series suits him well. He’s a nice little horse. He can handle a lot. I would not be surprised to see Dan go right to the front with him.”

Arledge co-owns Dancin Dragon with breeder Mark Marroletti. He comes into the final as the top point’s earner with wins in three of the four preliminary legs.

Infrontandforgetit (Post #4; Dan Noble) will represent the Arledge stable in the 3-year-old filly trot at 8-5.

The Dontyouforgetit— Front End Rate filly owns a 4-4-2 record this season in 14 starts. Infrontandforgetit scored in a lifetime best 1:56.1 in her last start during the Delaware County Fair. She finished a solid third in her only attempt on OSS action in mid-July.

Greg Buckley, William Buckley, Mary McLoughlin and Spring Mill Venture own Infrontandforgetit, who was a $15,000 purchase at the 2016 Ohio Select Sale.

“She has been racing well lately. I took her to a couple of fairs to get her going,” said Arledge. “She’s been good in the Stallion Series. She was third in her only sires stake leg. She’s a nice filly.”

In the freshman filly trot, Arledge will send out the 9-2 choice, She’s Got Bling (Post #6; Chris Page). The Uncle Peter—Rosa Parks lass has a 2-2-0 record in just seven seasonal starts.

“She’s a nice filly. She is just coming around. She raced good at Delaware (second-place finish on Sept. 18),” said Aldedge. “She was solid in the first two legs of the sire stakes and then she got sick. She missed all the rest of the sire stakes. She only has seven starts and she’s coming along well and is pretty good now.”

She’s Got Bling is owned by Benson Roth, Sharon Edelman and Arlene Roth.

Arledge has already eclipsed his 2017 win total this season, in 120 fewer starts. During his career, the 60-year old has amassed 2,069 wins and $25.3 million in earnings.

While the 2018 season has not concluded, Arledge is already looking forward to 2019.

“I bought three at the (Ohio) Select Sale. I also bought the sale-topping Uncle Peter filly at the Ohio Classic Sale.”

Arledge signed the $33,000 slip for Indeed A Dream the Uncle Peter—I Am Spike’s Wish filly.

Tonight’s Northfield Park card also features four divisions of the $240,000 (div.) Ohio Sire Stakes events for older horses. First post is 6 p.m.