Posts split speedsters, closers to add intrigue to Arlington Million
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Because of an unlikely post position draw for the Grade 1 Arlington Million Stakes at Colonial Downs on Saturday, a clear line can be drawn within the field. The five likeliest pacesetters drew the five inside positions, while the three likeliest to close have drawn outside of them.
From the rail, 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan will make his turf debut for trainer Kenny McPeek. In four starts this year on dirt, he has not started a race more than 2 1/2 lengths behind the early leader.
In the 2 and 3 posts, 4-year-old geldings Time Song and Vesting will both try the Arlington Million after hard-fought defeats in allowance company.
Both longshots have flashed front-running speed in recent starts and could give Runaway Storm trouble in the 4 post. After a sluggish 5-year-old debut, the speedy gelding improved last month to finish second in the $100,000 Jonathan B. Schuster at Horseshoe Indianapolis for trainer Ethan West.
Cairo, the only European shipper in this year’s race, will break from the 5 post on Saturday for trainer Alice Haynes and has run on or near the lead in five straight starts this year in Great Britain and the United Arab Emirates. In the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot in June, he stubbornly held on for third at 100-1 odds.
Shug McGaughey runners Fort Washington and Integration drew posts 5 and 7, serving as potential bookends for Grand Sonata, who is cross-entered in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga for Todd Pletcher. Fort Washington closed from seventh to win two Grade 3 races earlier this year, while Integration just missed by a head in the Grade 1 Manhattan last time out while closing from fifth.
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