Trading Leather Possible for Arlington Million

Godolphin’s Trading Leather is considering the trans-Atlantic trip for the Grade I $1,000,000 Arlington Million on Aug. 16, according to the International Racing Bureau.  The Group I winner of last year’s classic Irish Derby is exiting a lackluster performance in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes on July 26 at Ascot, but has four Group I placings prior to that effort to back up his formidable class.  The King George turned out to be a salty scuffle between many Group I winners, including Mukhadram, Magician and Taghrooda.

Trained by breeder Jim Bolger - who previously owned the charge before selling him to Godolphin at the end of the 2013 season - the son of European champion juvenile Teofilo has excelled at or around the 1¼-miles distance of the Million, including a valiant second in the Group I Coral Eclipse behind Mukhadram on July 5 and a solid runner-up performance to Declaration of War - who would go on to finish third in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Classic - in last year’s Group I Juddmonte International Stakes at York as a sophomore.

A lover of fast ground, the bay 4-year-old has rarely performed well with too much give in the turf and - similar to fellow Million probable Magician - did not relish the surface at Ascot last time.  It would not be the first time that a European defied the form of a King George and flourished on American soil after a battle.

MAGICIAN CONFIRMED FOR MILLION

Coolmore’s Magician, after being labeled possible in yesterday’s notes, is now probable according to the International Racing Bureau.  Representatives at Ballydoyle - trainer Aidan O’Brien’s home base - have confirmed such.  Coming off a poor performance in the Group I King George VI & Elizabeth Stakes last out at Ascot, the son of Galileo will be looking to regain the form that saw him annex the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Turf in fine style in 2013 at Santa Anita.

In other Ballydoyle news, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Mrs. John Magnier’s Festive Cheer is now under consideration for the Listed $400,000 American St. Leger.  The son of stamina-infusing champion sire Montjeu is exiting a prep in the Group III Meld Stakes at The Curragh over 1¼ miles - well short of his best distance - and has shown excellent class in the past.  Last year, the bay colt was third - beaten less than four lengths - to Trading Leather in the Group I Irish Derby at that same course.  Earlier this year, the 4-year-old was thought of highly enough to contest the Group I Dubai Sheema Classic, finishing off the board.

MILLION THIRD SIDE GLANCE SET TO RETURN

Superfecta bettors everywhere can enjoy a sigh of relief as it was confirmed Friday morning by trainer Andrew Balding - by way of the International Racing Bureau - that Pearl Bloodstock’s Side Glance will be returning to the United States for a fourth time on Aug. 16 for the Grade I $1,000,000 Arlington Million.

The 7-year-old gelding finished fourth in the Grade I Woodbine Mile in 2011, third in last year’s Million and third in the Grade I United Nations last out at Monmouth Park on July 6.  The nearly black son of Passing Glance went off at odds of 7-1, 24-1 and 5-1, respectively.

Carrying his form well over the last few seasons on multiple continents, the talented and consistent English-bred and -trained charge has earned more than $2.4 million, while winning eight of 36 starts.  His best performances have come on good-to-firm ground over 1¼-miles trips, including a victory in the Group I MacKinnon Stakes at Flemington Racecourse in Australia last November.