Million Preview Day at Arlington Park in Photos

Arlington Park’s Million Preview Day sets the local stage for Arlington Million Day, before the international horses take over. Although The Pizza Man didn’t win before his hometown crowd, a few improving horses set themselves up well for the Arlington Million card on August 13.

Favored Faufiler (IRE), fifth in the Longines Just A Game (Gr. I) last out, landed her first graded stakes victory in the 1-3/16 mile Modesty Handicap (Gr. III). With Jose Valdivia Jr. in the irons, the regally-bred filly stalked the conservative pace set by Secret Someone before taking the lead in the stretch. Trained by Graham Motion, the Galileo filly is out of Six Perfections, winner of the 2003 Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Said Valdivia, “I had a great trip. This is probably one of the best bred horses that I’ve ever sat on and she was spot on, she settled off slow fractions. When I called on her she had a turn of foot--I mean unbelievable--so very excited to be on her.”

(Above & below) Secret Someone and Robby Albarado lead early in the Modesty Handicap (Gr. III).

(Above & below) Faufiler (IRE) and Jose Valdivia, Jr. win the Modesty Handicap (Gr. III).

Stars and Stripes Stakes (Gr. III) favorite The Pizza Man looked for his first win in three starts this year. The 7-year-old Illinois-bred gelding won last year’s edition of the race before becoming the first Illinois-bred to win the Arlington Million Stakes (Gr. I). He then finished second in the Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (Gr. I) and fifth in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (Gr. I) before winning the Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (Gr. II).

With Robby Albarado up, The Pizza Man made a wide bid in the 1-½ mile race but fell three noses behind the winner, first-time stakes winner Greengrassofyoming, in a blanket finish.

Between Greengrassofyoming and The Pizza Man was O’Prado Ole in second and Pumpkin Rumble in third.

On The Pizza Man’s fourth-place finish, Albarado said, “He ran great. It was a blanket finish and a really good horse race. Obviously he likes to run around horses so I had to run around some horses on the turn. He got in my hands nice. It was his third start of the year and he has shown progression every time, so that should set him up for the Million.”

Greengrassofyoming is led in the walking ring before the Stars and Stripes Stakes (Gr. III).

The Pizza Man and Robby Albarado in the walking ring before the Stars and Stripes Stakes (Gr. III).

Chip Leader and Jose Valdivia, Jr. took a long lead for much of the Stars and Stripes Stakes (Gr. III).

(Above & below two) From left to right, The Pizza Man (4th), Pumpkin Rumble (3rd), Greengrassofyoming (1st), and O'Prado Ole (2nd) in a finish in the Stars and Stripes Stakes (Gr. III).

The 1-3/16 mile Arlington Handicap (Gr. III) was the third race of the day to grant a horse their first stakes win. With Robby Albarado up, Kasaqui (ARG) stalked the pace and kicked clear in the stretch to win by a comfortable 1-¼ lengths. It was the fifth race and second win in North America for the gray Lasting Approval horse, who raced in South America until mid-2015.

Said Kasaqui’s trainer Ignacio Correas, IV, “Nobody wanted the lead [in the Wise Dan], so we got it that day. The plan today was for Robby to get him something to chase. The horse and Robby did perfect. Great plan. He gets a little bit bored on the lead.”

(Above & below) Kasaqui (ARG) is walked in the paddock and walking ring prior to the Arlington Handicap (Gr. III).

Go Around and James Graham lead early in the Arlington Handicap (Gr. III).

Kasaqui (ARG) and Robby Albarado win the Arlington Handicap (Gr. III)

One Mean Man was the fourth and final Arlington horse of the day to net a first graded stakes win. With Robby Albarado up, the three-year-old colt, second in last month’s Arlington Classic Stakes (Gr. III), held off favored Oscar Nominated to take the American Derby (Gr. III).

A love for the Arlington Park turf runs in the family, as full sister Mizz Money won the Pucker Up Stakes (Gr. III) on Arlington Million day last year.

“His sister did very well here and she won the Pucker Up [at 1 1/8-miles], so it only made sense to come back,” said Bernard Flint, trainer of One Mean Man and Mizz Money. “He’s a great horse and he has a big heart. In fact, the last time he was second, he thought he won.”

One Mean Man is walked in the paddock prior to the American Derby (Gr. III).

Oscar Nominated and Cory Lanerie walk in the post parade before the American Derby (Gr. III).

(Above & below) Tequila Joe and Weavers Ice Cold lead early in the American Derby (Gr. III).

(Above & below) One Mean Man and Robby Albarado win the American Derby (Gr. III).

One Mean Man and Robby Albarado after winning the American Derby (Gr. III).