First Look: Arlington Million day + Saratoga, Del Mar

Arlington Million day is at Colonial Downs for the first time, though news came Sunday that the Rebel’s Romance will miss the featured race. The 2022 Breeders' Cup winner is 0-for-2 this year.

Saratoga hosts the rescheduled Hall of Fame (G2) on Friday and the Fourstardave (G1) on Saturday, with 7-year-old Casa Creed looking for another win and a Breeders' Cup berth, and 2-year-olds move into graded-stakes territory at the Spa and Del Mar.

Here’s an early look at the likely fields of graded stakes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Friday

National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2), Saratoga, 1 mile (turf), 3-year-olds

This race was redrawn after being canceled Friday because of weather. Nagirroc has finished in the money in each of his eight career starts, most recently finishing third in the Manila Stakes (G3). General Jim won the Swale (G3) and Pat Day Mile (G2) before finishing sixth in the Woody Stephens (G1). Mischievous Angel makes only his second start after winning on debut June 17.

Saturday

Fourstardave Handicap (G1), Saratoga, 1 mile (turf), 3-year-olds and up, automatic qualifier, Breeders’ Cup Mile

Three of the four probables listed for this would come from the Kelso (G3), where Casa Creed beat Annapolis by a length and Ice Chocolat finished fourth. Casa Creed has finished in the money in each of his three starts this year, and Annapolis won the listed Opening Verse in his only other start this year.

Saratoga Special (G2), Saratoga, 6 1/2 furlongs, 2-year-olds

Haul, Lasso, Divieto, Edified and South America are coming off debut wins. Rhyme Scheme took two tries to break his maiden, but he did it by 9 1/2 lengths at Ellis Park. Market Street led gate to wire to win his first start by 3 3/4 lengths but then was sixth in the Sanford (G3).

Arlington Million (G1), Colonial Downs, 1 1/4 miles (turf), 3-year-olds and up

Master of the Seas is 2-for-4 this year and would make his first U.S. start. Adhamo would make his 2023 debut after going 6: 1-2-1 last year, including a win in the United Nations (G1). Santin, winner of last year’s Arlington Million, hasn’t been in the money in six starts since.

Beverly D. (G1), Colonial Downs, 1 3/16 miles (turf), fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, automatic qualifier, Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Spendarella has two seconds in two starts this year, most recently in the Just a Game (G1). Fev Rover won the Nassau (G2) on July 1 in her first start of the year, then was third in the Diana (G1) two weeks later. Gina Romantica was fourth in the Eatontown (G3) in her only start this year.

Secretariat (G2), Colonial Downs, 1 mile (turf), 3-year-olds

Major Dude has a record of 6: 2-2-1 this year but was fourth last out in the Manila (G3), with Nagirroc, also expected here, well ahead of him in third. Silver Knott, runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, is 0-for-3 this year, including a fifth-place finish last out in the Belmont Derby (G1).

Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2), Del Mar, 1 1/16 miles (turf), fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Macadamia has three wins and a second from four starts this year, most recently scoring in the Gamely (G1). In her only start this year, Neige Blanche won the listed Possibly Perfect Stakes on June 18. Closing Remarks won the April 1 Royal Heroine (G2) but lost to Macadamia in the Gamely (G1) and Wilshire (G3).

Sorrento (G3), Del Mar, 6 furlongs, 2-year-old fillies

Each of these possibles would make their second start. Benedetta, Dreamfyre and Vinos Angel are coming off debut wins, and the other two possibles are 0-for-1.

Sunday

Best Pal (G3), Del Mar, 6 furlongs, 2-year-olds

Wilson Q won his debut at Churchill Downs then was second in the listed Bashford Manor at Ellis Park. Muth won his only start by 8 3/4 lengths at Santa Anita. Refocus won his debut before finishing third in the black-type Fasig-Tipton Futurity. Prince of Monaco won his first start by eight lengths at this track.