Archipenko starts on rail in Million

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Ten names were on the list of pre-entries taken last Friday for the 26th Arlington Million, but only eight came out of the box when final entries were taken early Wednesday afternoon in the Starting Gate Theater at Arlington Park. Two pre-entered horses, Cosmonaut and Out of Control, both are staying home in New York, but the other eight make an appealing lot, with English shipper and world traveler Archipenko installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite by Arlington oddsmaker Joe Kristufek.

Archipenko, trained by Mike de Kock, landed post 1, which de Kock termed more than suitable. Archipenko's jockey, Kevin Shea, who wasn't at the draw, reacted even more positively when told by phone that he would break from the rail.

"Oh, that's great," said Shea, who will be making his U.S. debut in the Million.

Second choice on the line, and breaking from post 7, is Mount Nelson, the Aidan O'Brien-trained horse who won the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in England in his most recent start. Mount Nelson will be ridden by Johnny Murtagh and was listed at odds of 5-2.

Sudan, the likely pacesetter with John Velazquez, drew post 4 and was listed at odds of 8-1. Trainer Bobby Frankel has said all along that Sudan would come to the Million, but he sat on the fence - publicly, at least - until this week with Million pre-entry Out of Control, who might make his next start on dirt or Polytrack.

Einstein, the lowest price American-based horse at odds of 7-2, drew ideally in post 6. A stalking type, Einstein would have been well served by any mid-gate draw.

"I was tickled with it," trainer Helen Pitts said.

Stream Cat, a sharp winner of the Arlington Handicap in his most recent start and fourth in this race last year, will break from post 2 with Julien Leparoux.

No locally based horse has ever won the Million, but Cloudy's Knight will attempt to do so from post 5. Silverfoot, the venerable 8-year-old winner of the Stars and Stripes Handicap in his most recent start, will break from post 8 under leading Arlington rider Rene Douglas.

The Million goes as race 10 on a 12-race card that gets under way at 11:45 Central. Arlington will offer a $250,000 guaranteed pick three linking the Million and the day's other two Grade 1 races, the Beverly D. and Secretariat.