Notes on the Arlington Million Day Stakes

By Jude T. Feld

Gio Ponti seeks to be the first back-to-back Arlington Million (G1) winner.
Benoit Photo

Arlington Million Day Updates:

RAINBOW VIEW, morning line favorite for the Beverly D. (G1) has been scratched with a tendon injury. MARSH SIDE, a major contender in the Arlington Million (G1), did not make the plane ride from trainer Neil Drysdale’s Southern California base and is expected to make his next start in the Sky Classic (G2) at Woodbine. TWO NOTCH ROAD, entered in the Secretariat (G1) came down with a fever and was never shipped from Monmouth Park.

7TH RACE – STARS AND STRIPES (G3)

ARMSTRONG MILL enters this race slightly fresh. Trainer Christophe Clement has no doubt been preparing the son of Dynaformer for this spot since his last outing and a sharp :59 and change workout on the turf at Saratoga points to a big effort. The distance seems ideal for the Overbrook Farm colorbearer and having Kieran Fallon in the saddle only adds appeal. PERFECT SHOWER just ran second at this distance 15 days ago. If he can handle the quick turnaround, the son of Perfect Soul will be a formidable foe. FREE FIGHTER is the local contender. He won this race last year beating the venerable Brass Hat going a mile and a half. His last two starts have been below his par but he could return to form at this longer trip.

8th RACE – SECRETARIAT (G1)

WIGMORE HALL has been running great all year long. The son of High Chaparral is going for his third straight victory after keeping good company at Newmarket, York and Ascot. Talented jockey Jamie Spencer sees fit to make the trip across the pond to ride him and his 5-1 morning line is much more appealing than the odds-on price the favorite will offer. PADDY O’PRADO is arguably the best three-year-old grass horse in the United States. His victory in the Virginia Derby (G2) was flattered when second-place finisher Interactif came back to win the Hall of Fame (G2) at Saratoga. He is a “must-use” in all horizontal wagers despite his odds. WORKIN FOR HOPS comes off a nice score in the American Derby (G2) over the course. He has only been off the board once in his life and is two-for-two on the Arlington sod, so he should not be ignored.

9th RACE – BEVERLY D. (G1)

This is the toughest race on the Arlington Million (G1) card. You could make a case for every filly or mare entered. GYPSY’S WARNING beat top filly Maram in her first U.S. start, indicating that she was mare of quality. A funky pace scenario may have hindered her in the Dance Smartly (G2) at Woodbine where she raced four wide in a six-horse field. Sharp trainer Graham Motion put an excellent six furlong drill into her at his Fair Hill base and owner Barry Irwin has secured the services of cagey English jockey Willie Buick to pilot her. Look for a big effort at a nice price. TREAT GENTLY, the Juddmonte entrant, has won her last two starts for Hall of Fame trainer Billy Mott. She is sharp and talented – a potent combination for a Grade 1. HOT CHA CHA likes Chicago. She fires every time and it would not be a shocker to see her run another big one. PACHATTACK is improving and dangerous. She was all-out to win her last race at a mile and a half and now has a transcontinental ship to deal with off a three-week rest. If all that doesn’t bother her, watch out!

10th RACE – ARLINGTON MILLION (G1)

GIO PONTI is the heavy morning line favorite and deservedly so. He is seeking to become the first horse to with the ‘Million in back-to-back years. The son of Tale of the Cat comes off a win in the Manhattan (G1), the same preparation schedule trainer Christophe Clement used for last year’s victory and he worked a super five-eighths at Saratoga, indicating that he retains his sharpness. Jockey Ramon Dominguez knows his quirks and with a clear trip, the pride of Castleton Lyons Farm will be tough to deny. Most likely to spoil the ‘Ponti party is SUMMIT SURGE. The Luca Cumani trainee just captured the York Stakes (G2), earning a lifetime high, 117 Racing Post rating. Like fine wine, he gets better with age and his 10-1 morning line seems extremely generous. JUST AS WELL is often the bridesmaid but seldom the bride. He always gives his best and one of these days he’ll get the candy.

11th RACE – THE HATOOF STAKES

LUNAR MIST shows the magical “change of pace” pattern in her form, going to the lead two races back and coming from behind last time out. Her Beyers are competitive here and a good trip could payoff boxcars. (Which we might need to get out for the day.) ELUSIVE CHAMPAGNE has run two bang-up sprints and tries two-turns for the first time. She is bred to go on and having jockey Julien Leparoux to rate her is a huge plus. OCEAN SURGE has won four straight. She makes her initial route start after 11 sprints, so her ability to go a mile is the big question. Proceed cautiously.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 20th, 2010 at 8:49 am and is filed under Selections. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.