RACING NOTES : Easy Goer, Sunday Silence Accept Arlington Cup Bids

Owners of six horses, including Easy Goer and Sunday Silence, have accepted invitations to enter the Arlington Challenge Cup at Arlington International Racecourse near Chicago.

The other four horses entered in the Aug. 4 race, which is worth at least $250,000, are Criminal Type, Mi Selecto, Opening Verse and Santangelo.

The 1 1/4-mile event will carry a $1-million purse if Easy Goer and Sunday Silence start, $600,000 if one starts and $250,000 if they both are missing from the field.

Capades pulled away down the stretch after trailing early on to win the $150,000 Matchmaker Stakes by 4 3/4-lengths Wednesday night at the Atlantic City Race Course in McKee City, N.J.

Capades, ridden by Angel Cordero Jr., covered the mile and 3/16 on a firm turf course in 1:55 3/5 to best six other fillies and mares 3 years old and up.

Capades paid $3.20, $2.20 and $2.20 to win the 24th running of the stakes race. Gaily Gaily closed strong to finish second, returning $3 and $2.40. Summer Secretary paid $2.10 for show.

Management for the top four finishers won the chance to breed their horses with one of four top stallions, three of which have lifetime earnings of more than $1 million.

Capades owner, Poma Stable, chose Java Gold.

Investigators in Toronto suspect arson is the cause of a blaze at Woodbine Race Track on Tuesday night that injured several track workers and killed six thoroughbred horses.

“We’ve discovered evidence that leads us to believe the fire was deliberately set,” said Roy Alpin, fire chief in nearby Etobicoke.

Alpin would not disclose what evidence was found.