The Great Day might scratch from Million to instead run at Del Mar

All 10 pre-entered runners in the Grade 1 Arlington Million passed the entry box when post positions were assigned Tuesday, but at least one scratch was expected prior to the 1 1/4-mile race being run Saturday on the Arlington Park turf.

Trainer Arnaud Delacour said Wednesday that he most likely would bypass the Million with Argentine import The Great Day, who figured as one of the longer shots in the lineup.

“He probably will go to Del Mar next week instead,” said Delacour, referring to the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap on the Aug. 17 Pacific Classic undercard.

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The Great Day, a Group 1 winner in his native country, has raced twice in the United States and most recently finished a late-running second in the July 13 Arlington Handicap after shipping to Chicago from Delacour’s primary base at Fair Hill in northern Maryland. The 5-year-old horse returned to Fair Hill following that race.

The connections of two other Million starters, Captivating Moon and Bandua, had expressed thoughts of perhaps withdrawing after pre-entries were taken last week, but both remained in the lineup as of Wednesday.

The Chad Brown duo of Bricks and Mortar and Robert Bruce, both scheduled to arrive Wednesday from Saratoga, will be the top two wagering choices in the 37th Million. Mostly sunny skies and a high of 83 are in the Saturday forecast. First post is 12:15 p.m. Central, with the Million going at 6:12 p.m.