Million attracts a large field
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – At least 10 horses, and perhaps as many as 12, are committed to next Saturday’s Arlington Million.
Tryster – who could be the race favorite – Deauville, and Mondialiste head a four-horse overseas contingent that also includes Decorated Knight. The Pizza Man, as the defending Million champion, nominally leads the group of U.S.-based pre-entrants, though The Pizza Man has not yet hit form in 2016 good enough to earn a repeat victory in the 1 1/4-mile grass race.
Trainer Chad Brown pre-entered three horses – Wake Forest, Big Blue Kitten, and Takeover Target – while World Approval, trained by Mark Casse, will try to win his second straight Grade 1 turf race after capturing the United Nations at Monmouth in his most recent start. Kasaqui, the South American import who won the Arlington Handicap, also was pre-entered, and Arlington officials were expecting Mervin Muniz winner Take the Stand to be pre-entered. Greengrassofyoming, the Stars and Stripes winner, remained a possible pre-entrant, while Pumpkin Rumble was pre-entered in the Million and the American St. Leger.
Million pre-entries were formally due at noon Friday, but racing officials still were awaiting final word on several horses for the four Aug. 13 races – the Million, Beverly D., Secretariat, and American St. Leger – with a pre-entry schedule. Million pre-entry requires a $15,000 payment that is refundable if a horse is excluded from the race, or with a veterinarian’s certificate verifying a pre-entrant isn’t physically fit to compete.
Sea Calisi, a troubled second to the talented Dacita in the New York Stakes for trainer Brown, heads the list of Beverly D. pre-entrants. Trainer Aidan O’Brien pre-entered two fillies, Coolmore and Ballydoyle, and also coming from overseas is Pretty Girl. Faufiler, Marypop, and Secret Someone also were among the pre-entries early Friday afternoon, with two or three more horses still possible pre-entrants.
Beach Patrol, Surgical Strike, One Mean Man, American Patriot, Oscar Nominated, and his apparent pacemaker, Scissors and Tape, Long Island Sound, Cherry Wine, Applicator, and Cordon were pre-entered in the Secretariat for 3-year-olds.
Final entries are taken and post positions will be assigned for next Saturday’s races on Wednesday.