Brown trying for third straight Arlington Million with Bricks and Mortar and Robert Bruce

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Illinois – It’s tough times in Chicago racing. Purses are a pittance set against tracks rolling in casino cash. Longtime, foundational horsemen have departed Arlington for greener pastures. The buzz this Arlington Million week relative to a decade ago is like the sound of a bee’s wings compared to the beating of helicopter blades.

You know who doesn’t care? Chad Brown, North America’s leading turf trainer. Brown readily professes Arlington love and continues pointing top horses to the three Grade 1’s here. Last year he won his second straight Million, with Robert Bruce following Beach Patrol’s 2017 victory; ran one-two-three in the Beverly D.; and finished second in the Secretariat.

Now, Brown has short-priced Fog of War and Valid Point for the Secretariat, defending champion Sistercharlie for the Beverly D., and defending champion Robert Bruce for the Million. This year, Robert Bruce plays second fiddle. His stablemate Bricks and Mortar is 4 for 4 on the season, already a winner of three seven-figure turf stakes in 2019, and is a defined Million favorite.

Five-year-old Bricks and Mortar, by Giant’s Causeway and owned by Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence, won his first four races, took two tough stakes losses at the end of his 3-year-old season, developed a physical issue that nearly ended his career, and has come back an even better horse, winning all five races since his return. With slightly more luck, Bricks and Mortar would be 9 for 9.

“He’s got all the tools,” said Brown. “He’s proving to be just a little faster, a little better than the horses he’s with. He has that will to win, the competitive desire.”

Ten were entered in the Million, which offers a fees-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Turf, but The Great Day will be scratched. Magic Wand was cross-entered in the Beverly D. but is more likely for the Million, trainer Aidan O’Brien said. Bricks and Mortar breaks from post 3 under regular rider Irad Ortiz in the Million, with post time 6:12 p.m. Central as the 11th of 12 races. First post is 12:15 p.m. and the weather should be gorgeous, sunny and in the low 80s.

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There’s been little recent rain here, and while Arlington has watered the course, local jockeys who rode last weekend described the ground as very firm and fast, as it should be Saturday. Two courses will be employed, with the Grade 1’s run on the outer and all other turf races on an inner oval. The Million is the last of the major stakes following the Beverly D. and the one-mile Secretariat. The Grade 3 Pucker Up closes the card and completes a 50-cent all-stakes pick five with a 15 percent takeout.

Bricks and Mortar will be widely singled. He has a favorable post in a 1 1/4-mile race that starts awkwardly at the end of the far turn and hampers outside-drawn horses, and Bricks and Mortar’s late turn of foot has proved unstoppable. Bricks and Mortar’s campaign started early in order to make the Pegasus World Cup Turf in January, but he’s had a breather since winning the Manhattan on June 8 and “is training fabulous,” said Brown.

It’s Robert Bruce, whose last win came in the Million, that will generally be considered the most logical alternative. Robert Bruce’s first start this year, a fifth in the Grade 3 Fort Marcy at Belmont, is a toss because the Chilean import abhors soft turf. He didn’t have a great Manhattan trip and finished strongly for second, and Brown believes Robert Bruce comes into the Million with upside.

“His last couple works were his two best this year,” Brown said.

The filly Magic Wand finished second, 2 1/2 lengths behind Bricks and Mortar, in the Pegasus Turf, was third in the Man o’ War at Belmont, and appears to perform better in American races than overseas. She was beaten more than 50 lengths last out in the Group 1 King George at Ascot, having failed to handle rain-sodden ground there, O’Brien said, and was protected by her rider once clearly beaten.

The O’Brien-trained Hunting Horn has been used as a pacemaker but is ridden Saturday by top stable jockey Ryan Moore, while Wayne Lordan sits on Magic Wand. Hunting Horn set a breakneck pace in the Man o’ War at Belmont in May and held resolutely for fourth.

“He does like to go forward in his races and has run his best that way,” O’Brien said.

Between two other Europeans, Intellogent has better form than Pivoine but has not appeared to especially enjoy his first international shipping experience. He trained Thursday in blinkers and races in them for the first time Saturday. If Pivoine, mainly a handicapper in England, has a hope it’s off his two strong races at York, a relatively flat left-handed course more like American courses than most overseas tracks.

Bandua won the Arlington Handicap in his last start and is an improving 4-year-old. Captivating Moon will sit near the back, hope for a strong pace, and make one run. Catcho En Die hasn’t done anything this season to suggest he can be remotely competitive.