Dream Season Continues for Arriagada and Estilo Talentoso

In Estilo Talentoso’s lone start at Keeneland, the daughter of Maclean’s Music was dismissed at 50-1 odds in the Madison (G1) during this year’s Spring Meet. All she did that day was finish in a dead heat for second with Grade 1 winner Bell’s the One, finishing three-quarters of a length behind Kimari.

Her price figures to be considerably lower Saturday, when she goes postward in the $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2).

“I had worked for John Ward here before, and I have to say I teared up a little bit walking into the Paddock (for the Madison),” trainer Juan Arriagada said Friday morning. “After the race, I was so happy.”

Now owned by the partnership of Medallion Racing, Barry Fowler, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Little Red Feather Racing and BlackRidge Stables, which purchased her one race after the Madison from Arriagada, Estilo Talentoso arrived at Keeneland Thursday afternoon from Delaware Park, where her trainer has 20 horses.

Boasting a record of 16-3-9-3 that includes a victory in the Bed o’ Roses (G3) at Belmont Park, Estilo Talentoso had her only off-the-board finish in her most recent start in the Ballerina (G1) at Saratoga.

“In the Ballerina, the plan was to chase Gamine and after the race you find out you were wrong,” Arriagada said.

“Tomorrow I will tell (jockey) Jose (Ortiz) to let her do what she wants to do and make her run when she is ready.”

The Thoroughbred Club of America is a “Win and You’re In” race that provides the winner with a fees-paid berth into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 6.

“We will see what happens,” Arriagada said. “It is a tough race and I don’t want to think about what might not happen. I have traveled to a lot of places with her, and I will keep her in my heart the rest of my life.”