Domestic Spending to start in Mister D. Stakes, Brown says

ELMONT, N.Y. - Domestic Spending, the leader of the male turf division with two Grade 1 victories including a convincing score in the Manhattan two weeks ago, will make his next start in the Grade 1 $600,000 Mister D. Stakes at Arlington Park on Aug. 14, trainer Chad Brown confirmed Sunday.

The Mister D. is the race formerly known as the Arlington Million, a 1 1/4-mile race at Arlington Park that Brown has won four times, including in 2019 with Bricks and Mortar, who was voted Horse of the Year.

“Distance, it’s a really nice turf course, we’ve had a lot success in that race,” Brown said, listing some of the reasons the Mister D. makes sense. “I think the timing works for him. I want to space him out a little bit between his last race, which was a big effort, (he) ran a huge figure and it’s good recovery time.”

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On Sunday, Domestic Spending was going easy in company with Rockemperor, going a half-mile in 49.75 seconds over the Belmont turf course.

“We let him stretch his legs a little bit and thought he did fine,” Brown said.

Domestic Spending has won six of seven career starts, including four straight. He is 2 for 2 this year including a dead heat with Colonel Liam in the Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on May 1.

Among Brown’s other turf workers Sunday were Master Piece, a Chilean-bred who finished sixth in the Manhattan. He worked a visually impressive half-mile in 48.75 seconds in company with Devamani.

“His past performances are a little confusing determining really how far he wants to run,” Brown said. “Our plan this year was to cut him back a little bit but I’ll tell you, he’s really looking for firm ground and I might take a shot in the United Nations.”

The United Nations, run at 1 3/8 miles, is scheduled for July 17 at Monmouth Park.