Debussy has BC Turf on calendar

Four Footed Fotos

The Breeders' Cup Turf is on Debussy's agenda after his upset win in the Arlington Million.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – The last of the ship-ins for Arlington Million Day on Saturday were to head home Monday from Chicago, including Debussy, winner of the 28th Arlington Million on Saturday for trainer John Gosden.

Debussy and his stablemate Tazeez, third in Saturday’s Million, were to leave Chicago Monday night and arrive back in England on Tuesday. Debussy especially appeared to come out of the race in good order, Gosden said Monday from England, and in all likelihood will return to the U.S. for a try in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

“He’s very happy on left-handed tracks,” Gosden said. “It’s reasonable to think about the Breeders’ Cup.”

Debussy, who won his first Grade 1 or Group 1 on Saturday, has a strong tendency to pull on his left rein, making him well-suited to counter-clockwise American racing. Debussy would be considered more a 1 1/4-mile horse back home, but Gosden believes he has the stamina to stay 1 1/2 miles around three turns at Churchill Downs, site of the 2010 Breeders’ Cup. Gosden said Debussy probably would have an overseas prep for the BC Turf, but not in a major race.

Tazeez, who broke poorly but took a clear lead to midstretch Saturday before tiring late, “left a little feed” the night of the Million, Gosden said, but has regained his appetite. Plans are fluid for Tazeez, Gosden said.

Gio Ponti, a tough second in the Million, flew from Chicago to Albany, N.Y., and arrived back at trainer Christophe Clement’s barn at Saratoga on Sunday. Gio Ponti made a powerful wide turn move Saturday and overhauled Tazeez, only to be run down in deep stretch by Debussy.

“He looks well, a little bit tired,” Clement said. “Overall, I think he took his race really well.”

Clement said he would have to confer with owner Shane Ryan before formulating concrete plans for Gio Ponti. Clement said a race like the Goodwood in Southern California would be possible were Gio Ponti to return to synthetic-surface racing. Clement mentioned the Woodbine Mile as a possibility if Gio Ponti stays on turf.

Paddy O’Prado, who notched his third straight impressive turf win Saturday, capturing the Secretariat Stakes, shipped to Churchill Downs by van hours after the race, and was back in his stall late Saturday night, trainer Dale Romans said.

“He seemed to come out of it perfect,” said Romans, who reiterated that the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on Oct. 2 at Belmont Park was Paddy O’Prado’s probable next race. Romans is pointing Paddy O’Prado to the BC Turf.

Eclair de Lune, who won the Beverly D. for Arlington chairman Dick Duchossois, was on her way back to California on Monday after traveling by van from Arlington to Churchill on Sunday. Trainer Ron McAnally was not available to comment Monday, but Eclair de Lune was said to have come out of her race in good shape.