Kasaqui and Dona Bruja on target for Arlington Million Day

Trainer Ignacio Correas, IV sent out two heavyweights in Kasaqui (ARG) and Dona Bruja (ARG) at Arlington International Racecourse on July 8 in preparation for the Arlington International Festival of Racing on August 12. Runner-up in last year’s Grade I Arlington Million, Wimborne Farm’s Kasaqui is aiming to do one better in the 2017 edition. The 7-year-old son of Lasting Approval finished third only three-quarters of a length behind Ghost Hunter in this year’s Grade III Arlington Handicap, which the Argentine-bred won in 2016, while carrying seven pounds more than the winner. Longshot Oak Brook, who held off Kasaqui by a head for second, carried eight pounds less than the grey gelding.

 

“He ran a good race,” said Correas. “He gave a lot of weight to those two other horses, and he didn’t have a great trip. But we will try the Million again. I think we are in a great spot. Last year we won the Handicap and lost the Million, and this year we lost the Handicap – maybe that’s how it’s supposed to be.”

 

Winner of the Grade III Modesty that same day, Dom Felipe LLC’s Dona Bruja (ARG) is on track to contest the Grade I Beverly D. next month. Making only her second start in North America, the 5-year-old mare sat well off the pace in the early going and traveled just off the rail, before swinging five wide entering the stretch and unleashing a powerful rally to win by a decisive length at the wire. It was the 10th win in 12 career starts for the daughter of Storm Embrujado (ARG) who earned her first Group I win in Argentina last December.

 

With both horses finishing in the top three of their races, Kasaqui and Dona Bruja earned entry with starting fees waived into the Million and the Beverly D., which are “Win and You’re In” events for the Grade I $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf and Grade I $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, respectively, at Del Mar on Nov. 4.

 

Secure Investments and I. C. Racing LLC’s Malraux didn’t miss a step when facing winners for the first time July 13. The 3-year-old colt was making his second start on the Polytrack after the 5½-furlong allowance optional claiming race was rained off the turf, just as it had been when Malraux broke his maiden by 9¾ lengths on May 27. Quick to take the lead from the gate, the Ignacio Correas, IV trainee set the pace with splits of 22.52 and 45.22 before coming home in 1:03.83 to win by 1½ lengths under jockey Jose Lopez.

 

“He’s a talented horse,” said Lopez. “He did everything himself, I was just waiting until the end. He did it perfect.”

 

Now a two-time winner from three starts, the son of Eclipse Champion Sprinter Speightstown is likely to try stakes company in his next race. Correas is pointing the colt towards the $100,000 Quick Call Stakes at Saratoga on August 9. The 5½ furlong turf sprint would be Malraux’s first start on grass since his debut in March when he finished second by three-quarters of a length at Tampa Bay Downs.

 

“He’s been facing older competition since he started, and this will be against just 3-year-olds,” said Correas. “I don’t want to say it will be easier, but he will have a good shot. He’ll ship from here to Saratoga, and then come back to Arlington. He trains well here, he loves it.”