Large field likely for Arlington Million

A big field appears likely for the 33rd Arlington Million after 14 older horses were pre-entered for the 1 1/4-mile turf race Saturday at Arlington Park in suburban Chicago.

Pre-entries for the Grade 1 Million and the three other major turf races that comprise the International Festival of Racing were released Saturday. Ten fillies and mares were pre-entered in the Grade 1, $700,000 Beverly D.; nine 3-year-olds in the Grade 1, $450,000 Secretariat; and 11 older horses in the Grade 3, $350,000 American St. Leger.

Post positions for all races will be drawn Wednesday after final entries are taken. The races are scheduled for this coming Saturday.

Likely favorites for the Million include Big Blue Kitten, the winner of the United Nations in his last start; Slumber, the winner of the Manhattan; and Maverick Wave, shipping in from England for Godolphin and trainer John Gosden.

The top two finishers in last year’s Beverly D. – Euro Charline and Stephanie’s Kitten – are back for the 1 3/16-mile race, with Watsdachances and Wedding Vow among their principal challengers.

Force the Pass, the winner of the Belmont Derby, looks like a solid favorite for the 1 1/4-mile Secretariat.

The American St. Leger, run at the odd distance of 1 11/16 miles, looks wide open, with Crucero scheduled to ship in from California off an upset win in the San Juan Capistrano.

The Pizza Man, the standout Illinois-bred, is the lone cross-entry, with trainer Roger Brueggemann yet to choose between the Million and St. Leger.

As for horses bred outside the U.S., there are six pre-entered in the Million and seven in the Beverly D. In all, 18 of the 43 pre-entries are foreign-bred.

Here are the rosters of pre-entries:

◗ Arlington Million: Belgian Bill, Big Blue Kitten, Bookrunner, Elleval, Legendary, Maverick Wave, Quiet Force, Shining Copper, Slumber, The Pizza Man, Triple Threat, Up With the Birds, Wake Forest.

◗ Beverly D.: Carla Bianca, Euro Charline, Lacy, Lot’s o Lex, Maid On a Mission, Mango Diva, Secret Gesture, Stephanie’s Kitten, Watsdachances, Wedding Vow.

◗ Secretariat: Closing Bell, Crittenden, Dekabrist, Force the Pass, Goldstream, Granny’s Kitten, Highland Reel, War Dispatch, World Approval.

◗ American St. Leger: Alpha Kitalpha, Az Ridge, Calvados, Crucero, Highball, Hyper, Lucky Speed, Panama Hat, Roman Approval, The Pizza Man, Xtra Luck.