#1 Posted: 8/18/2012 6:52:30 AM
Arlington Park
Saturday, August 18, 2012
"Arlington Million Preview"
(Post Time: 6:44 p.m. ET) Surface: Turf, 1 1/4 Miles, Open, 3 Year Olds And Up, G1 STAKES, Purse: $1,000,000
The Grade 1 Arlington Million is one of the most prestigious and
cherished races in the world. It is the first race in racing history to
deliver purse money of at least $1 million with the legendary John Henry
annexing the inaugural race in 1981. Recent winners include the likes
of Cape Blanco and Gio Ponti. This year, a field of 11, including five
European raiders, will compete for the top spot.
RAHYSTRADA (Rahy x Ministrada by Deputy Minister) : What a salute it
would be to the late Rahy if this eight-year-old gelding were to win the
Million for the first time in his third try. He finished fourth and
fifth, respectively, in his previous attempts. Like in those tries, he
enters this year with a last out win which, this year, came in the Grade
3 Arlington Handicap. Rahystrada has good record at Arlington and at
today's distance. He’s versatile enough to go wire to wire or rally from
mid pack. That is an asset that jockey Julien Leparoux will have to
utilize to get good position from the rail. Byron Hughes is the trainer.
BOISTEROUS (Distorted Humor x Emanating by Cox’s Ridge) : It is a tad
bit odd to see this one as the favorite despite the fact that he does
not own a Grade 1 triumph. Four others in this race can stake that claim
and seem more likely to be favored by the public. That said, the Shug
McGaughey pupil is no slouch and he loves to finish with a flurry of
speed. He has had trouble bearing down against top notch competition
though. There are too many appealing options to side with this one at
such a low number. Jose Lezcano picks up the mount from Alan Garcia.
AFSARE (Dubawi x Jumaireyah by Fairy King) : First a note on the
trainer, Luca Cumani. He is noted as one of the best throughout Europe
and has trained an endless list of top horses. Top American conditioner
Christophe Clement learned many of the tricks of his trade working as an
assistant to Cumani. The talented horseman is shipping in an equine
that owns a good record at the 1 ¼ miles distance. The gelding is a
listed stakes winner, but owns second place finishes in Group 1 & 2
company. Cumani has employed regular stable rider Kieran Fallon to ride
this race. Fallon won the Million in 2005 on Powerscourt.
LITTLE MIKE (Spanish Steps x Hay Jude by Wavering Monarch) : Little he
is not; this gelding becoming a Grade 1 winner two back when he took
the field all the way in the Turf Classic at Churchill Downs. Speed is
his game and he is going to go as far as he can. A discouraging point is
that Joe Bravo decided to head to New York to ride in the Grade 1 Sword
Dancer Invitational instead. Ramon Dominguez picks up the mount, so it
isn’t all bad. This is a bit further than he is used to traveling, but
if the field allows him to race easily on the lead then he might
surprise everyone. Dale Romans trains this gelding whose sire is a full
brother to Unbridled’s Song.
COLOMBIAN (Azamour x Clodora by Linamix) : Could not keep up last out
against top company that included the likes of So You Think and Carleton
House. Three races back he was a Group 3 winner over the likes of Poet
and Twice Over. The competition he faces today is probably more similar
to the group he beat than the group that beat him. Jockey William Buick
won this race two years ago aboard Debussy. He seems as likely a winner
as any in this race for the extremely capable John Gosden.
TREASURE BEACH (Galileo x Honorine by Mark of Esteem) : Perhaps the
best horse in this race, he just hasn’t been himself in recent trips to
the track. He looked to have the field over a barrel two back in the Man
O’ War at Belmont, but couldn’t pick his feet up in the stretch.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien shipped him back home where once again he couldn’t
get the job done in the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes. He makes for a tough
decision, because you know that trainer Aidan O’Brien hasn’t shipped the
2011 Irish Derby winner here just to play around. Jamie Spencer is in
to ride this colt that won the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes just a year
ago.
WILLCOX INN (Harlan’s Holiday x De Aar by Gone West) : Last year’s
Grade 2 American Derby winner loves it at Arlington Park, a track where
he owns a great record. He doesn’t seem to appreciate the distance so
much, as he failed in last year’s Secretariat Stakes as well as the
Hollywood Derby. He enters this race with just a single prep, a win in a
one mile allowance optional claiming race. It’s tough to side with him
here given so many better options. James Graham rides for Michael
Stidham.
WIGMORE HALL (High Chaparral x Love And Laughter by Theatrical) : This
one seem to be a different animal when in North America. While his
resume across the pond is just so-so, he owns a second place finish to
Paddy o’ Prado in the 2010 Secretariat Stakes. The following year he won
the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Stakes at Woodbine after finishing fourth
in this race in which he suffered a terrible trip. Lasix could be the
answer; banned overseas, the drug was used in each of his strong North
American efforts. He will have lasix again today. Michael Bell trains
and the mount goes to the very capable Haley Turner.
CRACKERJACK KING (Shamardal x Claba di San Jore by Barathea) : Trainer
Michael Botti brings what is likely the best member of the European
contingent. He owns an awesome career record with one of his two losses
coming last out to the highly touted Nathaniel in the Group 1 Eclipse
Stakes. His form isn’t as sharp as it might appears because the
competition in Italy isn’t nearly as fierce as places like England or
France. Despite that, it’s hard to find knocks on a horse like this one.
Colm O’Donoghue will be in the irons.
CHEROKEE LORD (Sir Cherokee x Sequins n’ Lace by Mari’s Book) : This
guy has little chance of winning the Arlington Million. He just isn’t
fast enough at any point in his races to suggest he could pull off this
coup.
VERTIFORMER (Dynaformer x Tempo West by Rahy) : It’s tough to get a
read on a horse like this one. He is bred in the purple and owns a fair
record of 9-4-0-0 on his career. He wasn’t disgraced last out in the
Grade 3 Arlington Handicap where he rallied for a fourth place finish
after a poor beginning. A win could be out of the question, but he could
make for a juicy trifecta or superfecta if he can round out one of
those tickets.
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#2 Posted: 8/18/2012 11:47:24 AM
Little Mike and Vertiformer to round out some tri tickets.
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