Kasaqui preps for Arlington Million in Arlington Handicap

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Kasaqui has all the qualifications to win the Arlington Handicap for the second year in a row but none of the incentives to work for it.

The best and most accomplished horse in Saturday’s race, Kasaqui has been pointed all season to the Aug. 13 Arlington Million. That race remains his goal, and he is giving weight Saturday to capable rivals in what is merely a $100,000 means to a $1 million end.

“My alternative is to train him another four weeks,” trainer Ignacio Correas said. “He’s happy, and we know he likes that racetrack. If he wins, he wins. If he runs second, he runs second.”

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In Kasaqui and Dona Bruja, Correas has two of the most notable horses set to race on an excellent Million Preview Day at Arlington, where picture-perfect summer weather is forecast. The 10-race card starts at 1:25 p.m. Central and, in addition to four Grade 3 turf preps for Million Day stakes races, features several strong allowance races.

The stakes action starts in race 5 with the American Derby (post time, 3:33) and continues one race later with the Modesty, a Beverly D. prep. That’s the spot for the exceedingly talented Argentine import Dona Bruja, who faces Grade 1 winner Time and Motion in a race set for 4:06. Then it is on to The Pizza Man’s attempt to win his third Stars and Stripes Stakes (race 8, 5:10), with the Arlington Handicap, race 9, wrapping up the stakes action at 5:40.

The Handicap, at 1 3/16 miles in the so-called Million lane that sits wide on the spacious Arlington course, drew nine entrants. Applicator, a pace threat not without hope, is cross-entered in the Stars and Stripes.

KEY CONTENDERS

Kasaqui, by Lasting Approval
Last 3 Beyers: 103-94-95

◗ It was in the 2016 Arlington Handicap that Kasaqui, who had been imported from Argentina several months before, won his first graded stakes race. And while he is a year older, Kasaqui might be a better horse this summer.

◗ After tough trips at Tampa Bay Downs, Fair Grounds, and in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill, he broke through with a powerful win last out in the Grade 2 Wise Dan. Correas had the option of waiting for the Arlington Million, in which Kasaqui finished second a year ago, or having another go in the Handicap, and he quickly chose racing over training.

◗ Kasaqui shoulders 124 pounds, four to 10 more than his rivals, but Correas points out that Kasaqui raced several times in Argentina under a 130-pound burden. “He’s used to carrying weight,” he said.

Manitoulin, by Awesome Again
Last 3 Beyers: 97-81-84

◗ He has raced only once in stakes competition, finishing eighth in the Dueling Grounds Derby last fall, but is a 4-year-old on the rise after being gelded following his final start last year at 3.

◗ Manitoulin won a first-level allowance race at Keeneland in his 2017 debut, then easily beat 11 second-level allowance foes at Belmont, convincing trainer Jimmy Toner to try the Arlington Handicap.

◗ Toner considered the Stars and Stripes Stakes but chose the shorter Handicap after Manitoulin went 1 1/8 miles in his races this year. “It’s a gradual buildup,” he said.

◗ Because he lacks stakes credentials, Manitoulin, who will have Florent Geroux aboard for the third race in a row, carries just 114 pounds, a meaningful 10-pound break from Kasaqui.

Taghleeb, by Hard Spun
Last 3 Beyers: 89-98-102

◗ His last two wins came in the 1 1/2-mile W.L. McKnight and the two-mile Allen Jerkens, both at Gulfstream, and Taghleeb most recently finished ninth in the Belmont Gold Cup. “We’re experimenting with a shorter distance, looking to see if we can make it to the Million,” trainer Mike Maker said.