Sulamani is coming

Arlington Park landed a big fish on Tuesday when Godolphin announced that Sulamani will run in the Arlington Million on Aug. 16.

Although travel plans have not yet been finalized, the 4-year-old son of Hernando is scheduled to arrive in Chicago this weekend, according Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford.

Sulamani's participation in the Million is something of a surprise as he was expected to remain at his home base in Newmarket to prepare for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, a race in which he finished second last year.

"The timing of the Million is perfect, especially as we have Moon Ballad running in the Juddmonte International on Aug. 19," Crisford said. "We bought Sulamani as an international horse. He's run in Dubai, France, and England this year, and now he'll run in America."

With Frankie Dettori riding Godolphin's top-class miler Dubai Destination in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on the day before the Million, Crisford said Godolphin will hire an American jockey to ride Sulamani at Arlington. He expects to have a rider signed up before Thursday.

The winner last year of the French Derby, Sulamani took the Dubai Sheema Classic at Nad Al Sheba in his first start this year on March 29. He was then fourth behind Ange Gabriel in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud prior to chasing home Alamshar in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes on July 26.

It looks as if the Million will have a full complement of seven European-trained runners. In addition to Sulamani they are: Paolini, an unlucky sixth in last year's Million; Olden Times, a Group 1 winner two years ago who won the Group 3 Earl of Sefton Stakes in April; Vangelis, who won Group 3 Grand Prix de Vichy; Tripat, winner of the Group 3 Prix du Chemin de Fer du Nord; Kaieteur, winner of last year's Group 1 Bayerisches Zuchtrennen; and Beauchamp Pilot.

Touch of Land, fourth in the French Derby, is the first European alternate, but might run in the Secretariat Stakes instead. Other Europeans expected for the Secretariat are: American Derby winner Evolving Tactics, trained by Dermot Weld; Irish 2000 Guineas runner-up France, trained by Aidan O'Brien; Joe Bear, trained by Philip Mitchell; King's Drama, third in the Virginia Derby; and possibly Magistretti, winner of the Group 2 Dante Stakes.

German and Italian Group 2 winner Walzerkoenigin is probable for the Beverly D., in which Dimitrova, the Weld-trained winner of the American Oaks at Hollywood Park, is a possibility.