The Million Draw

On perhaps the most beautiful day of the entire summer, I had the pleasure of attending the draw for the 2011 Arlington Million today. The event was held for the first time in the world-famous WGN studios in Chicago. Walking through the building, I was quickly struck by a legal flashback, as the draw was held right next door to the set for the Bozo the Clown show. If you've spent any of your childhood in Chicago, you know what a big deal that is. After peeking in on Bozo, I was greeted with a festive studio #2. There I found a large television room was staged with pure class. Nothing less should be expected from an event put on by Arlington's patriarch, Richard Duchossois.

I was feeling good just being there, and even better when a well dressed young lady told me I looked like a million bucks. Flattered, I said thank you, but did not realize until later that her compliment had more to do with me actually standing next to a million dollars, than my day's attire. Besides the impressive stack of cash, Arlington and WGN did the event right with the big draw board for each race, the race trophies, and a well presented podium for drawing the post positions. Not to mention the good, hot food, drinks and champagne toast set out for the horses' connections, media, Arlington and WGN personel. Of course, this being something that always pleases me.

I had a chance to discuss the respective fields for three of the biggest turf races in the United States with Arlington Park's oddsmaker, Joe Kristufek. Kristufek, of Horse Player Now, told me that in the Million, he went back and forth in deciding on a favorite, before finally deciding on Cape Blanco as a slight choice over Gio Ponti. He explained the deciding factor being the expected pace scenario once again playing into the hands of the Irish import, just as it did in the recent Man O' War Stakes. In the Beverly D., Kristufek favored the two overseas shippers, Stacelita and River Jetez, and gave the nod to the French filly based on her excellent race stateside in the United Nations Handicap. Finally in the Secretariat, I learned that Air Support, the recent winner of the Virginia Derby was not making the trip, but Treasure Beach was. The Irish Derby winner brings as strong credentials as any European ever to come for the Secretariat, and Kristufek tabbed him as a 2-1 choice over a couple of American stalwarts in Banned and Willcox Inn.

Speaking of Willcox Inn, I saw the boisterous celebration after the colt's impressive win in the American Derby, and was pleased to see a little more of that enthusiasm today at the draw. All In Stable is not a shy ownership group, and when their star colt, bidding to become only the 4th ever horse to sweep the Mid-America Triple, drew the #9 hole in the Secretariat, it was met with several, "Hoots" and "Yesses". It's always fun to see people having fun in the game I love.

Without further adieu, here are the fields for the Arlington Million, Beverly D. and Secretariat Stakes...