Weekend Takeaways: Chad Brown has firm grasp on turf division

Arlington Million day was even more proof that trainer Chad Brown leads the turf division. Not only did he earn the trifecta in the Grade 1 Beverly D – something he did earlier in the year with the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley – but he also went one-two in the Grade 1 Arlington Million.

First Sistercharlie earned her third Grade 1 score in the Beverly D, beating stablemates Fourstar Crook and Thais. It was Brown’s fifth overall Beverly D win and his fourth consecutive win.

One start later, Brown continued his roll in the Arlington Million with Robert Bruce leading home Almanaar. Already a multiple Group 1 winner in Chile, Robert Bruce rallied to capture his first North American Grade 1. It was also an impressive feat for Almanaar, who won an allowance after a 16-month layoff one race earlier. This was the third Arlington Million win for Brown, who also won the premier turf event last year.

Arlington Million day is one of the biggest days in North America for turf racing, attracting top international runners, and holding a record like Brown does on this day is no easy feat.

Analyze It may thrive with cutback in distance

Despite his two big victories Saturday, Chad Brown fell a neck short in the Grade 1 Secretariat with Analyze It.

The Secretariat was the third consecutive loss for Analyze It, who was never more than a neck short of winning. After going undefeated in his first three starts, Catholic Boy handed Analyze It his first defeat and also his second.

Analyze It impressed in his first three starts, going a mile before stretching out an extra sixteenth. When he met Catholic boy at 1 1/8 miles and 1 1/4 miles though, he ran out of steam in the final strides. In the Secretariat, also run at 1 1/4 miles, longshot Carrick rallied and Analyze It could not hold on.

Even though Analyze It’s losses have come against top competition, a cutback in distance could get him back in the winner’s circle.

Instagrand is the real deal

Out on the West Coast, 2-year-old Instagrand may have faced a short field in the Grade 3 Best Pal Saturday, but the way he won made him a force to be reckoned with. 

So far the Into Mischief colt is living up to his $1.2 million purchase price. After winning by 10 lengths in his debut, Instagrand remained undefeated with a front-running victory in the Best Pal, this time crossing the wire 10 1/4 lengths in front.

Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Instagrand has absolutely dazzled in his two career starts. There's still others to contend with on the West Coast later in the year, such as Bob Baffert-trained Roadster, but until the others step up in stakes company with dominating performances, Instagrand can carry the crown from West Coast 2-year-olds.

Heart to Heart is vulnerable on softer turf

At 7 years old, Heart to Heart is having his best season yet and earned his first Grade 1 victories in back-to-back style. In Saturday’s Grade 1 Fourstardave though, he showed that he has his preferences on the turf’s condition.

From five starts in 2018, he has finished out of the money twice. Both times came on turf course rated “good” instead of “firm.” While Heart to Heart was one of the favorites in the Fourstardave, he was outkicked for the lead and finished last. He also opened up the season with a second-to-last effort in the Grade 2 Ft. Lauderdale before turning around to win the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf at the same track before winning the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland.

Although Heart to Heart has been consistent throughout his career and 2018 has been an incredible season for him, any rainy weather moving forward in the year will be of concern.