The Arlington Million Preview
Once the richest thoroughbred race in all the world, the Arlington Million is no longer. Yes, the now thirty-something grass event still offers a million dollar purse, but it has long since been passed by in the dollars' race by dozens of events, both here and abroad, which boast a larger purse than the Million. Held at one of the finest facilities anywhere, the host track of the Arlington Million has also seen better days. Neither the quality of racing, daily purses, nor the wagering handle come anywhere near living up to what Arlington International Racecourse promises when you pass through the turnstiles. Actually, considering Arlington’s current state -- sans slots, and owned by a company (CDI) less than interested in what is best for the racetrack -- it is pretty amazing that they still get as many good horses on the grounds as they do. Kudos to all the good people that work at Arlington on a daily basis for making the best of an unfortunate situation. We can only hope that somehow, someway the downward trend is reversed. But enough about all the shortcomings of Arlington and Chicago racing, Saturday is Million Day, and through it all, it is still as fine a day of turf racing as we see in the United States. And of course, topping the five graded stakes on the grass fest, is the Million itself. Let’s take a look at this year’s sizable 13-horse field...
Likely to go off favored will be Ken & Sarah Ramsey’s seven-year-old homebred, Big Blue Kitten. The classy ridgling has won 12-of-25 lifetime on the turf, as well as better than $2 million in earnings. Moreover, with three strong performances in 2015, out of three starts, the experienced late runner looks to be in career form for trainer Chad Brown. Coming off a big win in the Grade 1 United Nations, the son of Kitten’s Joy is deserving of favoritism. Picking favorites is no fun, though, so not even the presence of his talented pacemaker, Shining Copper, is going to make me pick the chalk in the top spot. Coming out of a longer race, albeit only an eighth of a mile longer, I am going to look for the Kitten’s late run to be just a little too late. This leaves the door open for a different top pick, and the honor will fall on one of my current equine heroes.
If you thought BBK’s turf record was outstanding, just take a look at the lifetime turf form of The Pizza Man. The strapping son of English Channel sports a gaudy 14-of-21 record on the lawn, and an even better 12-9-1-1 mark on Arlington’s beautiful turf course. The Pizza Man can deliver at any distance, and is tactical as you need him. The only real question here becomes one of class, and as long as I have been following him, I now feel secure in the belief that he fits in just fine with this top level of American grass runners. For all those reasons, the Midwest Thoroughbreds owned, Roger Brueggemann trained, and Florent Geroux ridden runner will be my selection to win the 2015 Arlington Million. 10-1 on the morning line doesn’t seem to be too realistic, but at 6-1 or better, I believe he offers great value.
After the top two, there are a number of interesting Million options: Slumber is in career best form, Up With the Birds should get some pace to run at and is due, Quiet Force comes in off a nice local win, Legendary is sneaky good, and Triple Threat looked awfully nice in his only race in the United States. However, the biggest threat to Pizza and the Kitten could well come from the European contingent.
They may not be household name here in the States, or even in Europe for that matter, but the trio of Bookrunner, Maverick Wave, and Wake Forest all come to Arlington with plenty of international class. Bookrunner is a lightly raced son of Tiznow, who has fared well in one mile racing primarily in France. He should be close to the early lead, and while he has never been farther than a mile, Europeans like this have done well in the past stretching out to the ten furlongs of the Million. Maverick Wave, meanwhile, is very experienced at the distance for top international trainer, John Gosden. He comes in already having won 3-of-4 this year, and also should be out there and part of the early pace under former Arlington Million winning rider, William Buick.
Finally, Wake Forest may be the biggest threat of all of the Europeans. The German-bred five-year-old is 6-of-10 lifetime running against solid competition in his native Germany. He looks to be in great form, having finished third in a Group 1 and first in a Group 3 in his latest two starts for trainer, Andreas Wohler. He has a little less early speed than the two above him, but his turn of foot could be decisive at the Million trip he clearly enjoys. At 12-1 on the morning line, he is also a must use, in my opinion. Keep in mind, there is good reason why Europeans come to America and do so well in our biggest turf races. Even Belgian Bill and Elleval, who both will be administered Lasix for the first time, could be dangerous in their American debuts.
There it is, folks. The struggles of Chicagoland racing are real and saddening, but Million Day still manages to shine, as does the flagship race. Enjoy the 2015 Arlington Million!