Jon
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Post by Jon on Aug 6, 2013 22:29:00 GMT -5
31st running of the Grade I Arlington Million $1,000,000 Guaranteed 3-Year-Old & Upward One Mile and One-Quarter on the Turf August 17 It's the day we've all been waiting for - the 31st running of the Arlington Million! The day is packed with awesome parties, music, food, drinks, entertainment, and of course the best thoroughbreds in the country on the track. The stars of horseracing compete for the title of the Arlington Million (GI), Beverly D. (GI), Secretariat Stakes (GI), American St. Leger Stakes, and the Hatoof Stakes. Off the track, whether your in the Million Party Zone, Million Room or the Million VIP Lounge, everyone will be able to enjoy Million Marys, walk the red carpet, and try the official cupcake of the Arlington Million. Visit Arlington Million for tickets! Happy Million!
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Aug 6, 2013 22:32:37 GMT -5
Little Mike will seek Million repeat By Marcus Hersh 08/06/2013 DRF
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – After working a bullet five furlongs in 1:00.80 this past Saturday on the main track at Churchill Downs, Little Mike is on track for an attempt to do something no horse ever has done: Win the Arlington Million two years in a row.
Little Mike led from start to finish in the 2012 Million, setting a slow pace and powering to a 1 1/2-length victory over Afsare. Two starts earlier, Little Mike had won the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, and two starts later he won the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
But 2013 has not unfolded so kindly for Little Mike – not yet, at least. He, along with stablemate Dullahan, was sent by trainer Dale Romans to Dubai to start his season, and Little Mike ran two subpar races there, finishing eighth of 12 in the Maktoum Challenge Round 3, a race on an all-weather surface, and 11th of 14 when back on turf in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free. The Duty Free performance, while disappointing, should have come as little surprise, since U.S.-based grass horses never have run well in Dubai
Perhaps slightly more unsettling was Little Mike’s fourth-place finish as the 8-5 favorite in the July 6 United Nations, Little Mike’s first North American start this year. But that’s not how Carlo Vaccarezza, whose wife, Priscilla, owns Little Mike, sees his horse’s most recent performance. Little Mike was forced to duel on a fast pace, Vaccarezza points out. He was beaten only three lengths, and the race should move him forward.
“He’s full of himself now. I think that race really did a lot for him,” Vaccarezza said. “Dale couldn’t be any happier with the horse. He’s put his weight back on; he’s phenomenal. I think he’s at the peak of his career.”
Joel Rosario, who rode Little Mike for the first time in the United Nations, has a return call for the Million, according to Vaccarezza.
Along with Little Mike, there are five U.S.-based runners whose Million participation seems likely: Indy Point, Nates Mineshaft, Rahystrada, Real Solution, and Temeraine. The overseas contingent deemed probable shippers for the race includes Grandeur, Guest of Honour, Hunters Light, Mull of Killough, Side Glance, and The Apache. Grandeur spent about three months in California late last year, winning the Hollywood Turf Cup and the Twilight Derby, and finishing second in the Hollywood Derby. Side Glance would be making his second trip to North America, having finished fourth in the 2011 Woodbine Mile. The Apache, a South African-bred, finished a good second in the Dubai Duty Free this spring.
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Post by mackdaddy on Aug 7, 2013 8:18:57 GMT -5
Its a really nice venue to visit if anyone can go. Mack hit a $25 ex box with jambalaya and the tin man that day back in 2007. It paid for the flight and hotel.
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Aug 7, 2013 21:08:25 GMT -5
It is nice. Just wish they'd go back to dirt
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Post by Challedon on Aug 8, 2013 11:07:03 GMT -5
getting on soapbox.....
out of a 120 day meet I used to be at Arlington around 110 of those days
2 days I couldn't wait for ...opening day @ Sportsmans and opening day @ Arlington
My silks burned in the Arlington fire...DICK Duchossois still owes me new silks.
I think I've been to Arlington 3 times in the last 4 years.
the "new" Arlington used to be pristine inside but from various accounts ( I can't verify this since I don't attend) the cleanliness has gone downhill
Arlington has slowly morphed into a park/tourist attraction that happens to have some racing/betting
Last year they literally had ads that didn't show a single horse in the picture
The on-track handle is abysmal....it's all a " day in the park" touristy type of crowd
They now charge for the picnic tables in the grassy area and the lawn-type furniture seating on the apron
I know someone that had her purse searched at the entrance and since she had a bag of chips and a bag of candy in there she had to pay some sort of "picnic fee"
Over-priced food at the food court and over-priced admission add to the fun
DICK Duchossois is trying to put Hawthorne out of business...he has come right out and said this.
.....stepping down from soapbox
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Post by mackdaddy on Aug 8, 2013 13:27:30 GMT -5
Chicago politics made her get the purse searched
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Aug 9, 2013 23:15:27 GMT -5
Keystone - Who's your pick among the Euros?
Defending champ Little Mike tops Arlington Million pre-entries
Defending Arlington Million champion Little Mike (trained by Dale Romans) was pre-entered along with 13 others for the 31st Arlington Million on August 17. If the son of Spanish Steps proves victorious again for owner Priscilla Vaccarezza, he will have to defeat up to seven foreign interests, including three Group 1 winners – GusMay-Fer's Indy Point (Richard Mandella) from Argentina via California, Godolphin Racing's Hunter's Light (Saeed bin Suroor) from the United Arab Emirates and Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum's The Apache (Mike de Kock).
Also pre-entered from across the pond were Yvonne Jacques' multiple Grade 2-winning Grandeur (Jeremy Noseda), Giuliano Manfredini's lightly-raced Guest of Honour (Marco Botti), Pearl Bloodstock's battle-tested gelding Side Glance (Andrew Balding) and Invictus' improving Mull of Killough (Jane Chapple-Hyam).
The American contingent to challenge Little Mike is talented and deep. Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey's Real Solution (Chad Brown) exits a strong third-place finish behind the brilliant Point of Entry in the Manhattan Handicap, while Robert E. Courtney Jr.'s Rahystrada (Byron Hughes) and Windy Hill Farm's Nates Mineshaft (Anne Smith) exit strong victories over the local course.
While Nates Mineshaft won a classy turf allowance, Rahystrada took down the course and distance prep, the Arlington Handicap. Second in that race was Niall Racing's fellow Million pre-entry Temeraine (Tom Proctor), an improving horse who outran his long odds. Dale Romans also pre-entered Donegal Racing's Finnegans Wake, whose closing style would complement his stablemate if both run.
Ten fillies, all stakes winners, were pre-entered in the Beverly D. Stakes on Friday, eight days in advance of America's most prestigious filly and mare turf race outside of the Breeders' Cup. Six pre-entries from the United States, two from England and one each from Ireland and Canada make the field an international affair.
Leading the likely field is Glen Hill Farm's 2012 Beverly D. runner-up Marketing Mix (trained by Proctor), a winner of nearly $2 million. Some of the most powerful ownerships in the world will line up to take on Marketing Mix. Juddmonte Farm's Starformer (Bill Mott), the Ramseys' Artemus Kitten (Mike Maker), Shadwell Stable's Ausus (Danny Peitz) and Flaxman Holding's Duntle (David Wachman) have been pre-entered for a piece of the $750,000 purse.
Ireland's aforementioned Duntle, who would be a Group 1 winner if not for a disqualification last fall, leads the European invasion. Joining her from across the pond will be two England-based fillies -- Alan D. Spence's improving Gifted Girl (Paul Cole) and James Wigan's Dank. The latter will be internationally renowned trainer Sir Michael Stoute's first attempt in the Beverly D.
Hernandez Racing Club's local Arlington star filly La Tia (Armando de La Cerda), Jim and Susan Hill's multiple Canadian Grade 2 winner Solid Appeal (Reade Baker) and Etreham Farm's five-time Grade 1-placed Dream Peace (Brown) round out the likely field.
Team Stallion Racing Stable's highly regarded Rydilluc (trained by Gary Contessa) has been pre-entered in the Secretariat Stakes and leads 13 pre-entries for the marquee sophomore turf event. A winner of four of seven starts, including two graded turf stakes, the nearly black son of Medaglia d'Oro will likely renew his rivalry with Gary Barber's Jack Milton (Todd Pletcher), against whom he has competed in his last two starts. Rydilluc conquered Jack Milton in the Penn Mile on June 1 by a length, then finished 11 lengths behind him in the Virginia Derby last out. Jack Milton lost a three-horse photo for the victory, checking in third, while 5-2 favorite Rydilluc wound up eighth.
Rydilluc and Jack Milton will be joined by Dennis Narlinger's fellow Virginia Derby graduate Draw Two (Michelle Nihei), who in his previous race -- an allowance at Belmont Park -- defeated another pre-entry, Leonard Leveen and Michael Shanley's Stormy Len (David Donk).
Stormy Len exits a tough beat when third in a three-horse photo finish in the American Derby -- the local prep for the Secretariat -- a nose behind multiple graded stakes-placed Admiral Kitten (Maker). One of two pre-entries from the Ramseys' national leading stable, Admiral Kitten is joined by another homebred, Amen Kitten (Wesley Ward), who exits a third against older horses in a race named for their sire Kitten's Joy.
Team Valor International, who took down the American Derby with Infinite Magic, sends out a new soldier from its equine army -- Irish Group 2 winner First Cornerstone (Andy Oliver). Also invading from Europe will be Charles Fox's Yeager (Jeremy Noseda) from England and the Aga Khan's Visiyani (Alain De Royer-Dupré) from the same French connections who took down the Secretariat last year with Bayrir.
Peachtree Stable's Balthazar (Romans) and Juddmonte Farm's Tattenham (Mott) exit New York allowance runner-up finishes, while Raut LLC's Bethel and Olympia Star Inc.'s Golden Jason -- both conditioned by Gennadi Dorochenko -- round out the pre-entries for what will likely be a highly competitive renewal of the $500,000 race.
The second running of the American St. Leger had 10 pre-entries, including a favorite from each side of the pond, a globetrotting Arlington veteran and a live pair of locals from one of Arlington's leading owners. The Ramseys' Dark Cove (Maker) -- a winner of three straight graded turf marathons -- was pre-entered to follow up his victory in the local prep Stars and Stripes a month ago. He will have to take on Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock's Dandino (Botti), an England-based representative from the same connections as last year's winner Jakkalberry.
Mark Hawtin's Wigmore Hall (Michael Bell) has been pre-entered to make his fourth consecutive appearance at the International Festival of Racing after finishing second in the 2010 Secretariat Stakes, fourth in the 2011 Million and seventh in last year's Million. Team Block, leading owner by purses won at the 2012 Arlington meet, has pre-entered its two big homebreds -- Ioya Bigtime and Suntracer -- who exit finishing second and fourth, respectively, in the Stars and Stripes for trainer Chris Block.
The top three ranked trainers in the current Arlington standings each have thrown a pre-entry into the race. Gary and Mary West's Code of Conduct (Wayne Catalano), Feel the Thunder Stable's Cavalero (Mike Stidham) and Richard Ravin and Patricia's Hope's Ojos de Hielo (Larry Rivelli) have been tossed their respective hats in for a shot at the $400,000 purse. Shadwell Stable's graded stakes-placed Najjaar (Peitz) and Hiram Polk Jr. and David Richardson's Harrods Creek (Mott) round out the pre-entries.
Brisnet
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2013 2:37:53 GMT -5
This is by far the weakest rendition of the Million in recent memory and one can't help but to wonder why the team of Wise Dan didn't stretch him out for this prestigious G1 instead of running in that soap sud G2 the other day. but for the Euros I must say they are scraping the bottom of the barrel for this crew they are sending, I think Side Glance can stand a chance, He is getting supper class relief vs what he has been running against in Europe, he is first time lasix and has a grinding style that can transfer to arlington
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Aug 13, 2013 22:37:01 GMT -5
European invaders soak in atmosphere at Arlington
All 14 European hopefuls for the International Festival of Racing got their first exercise at Arlington Tuesday morning. The horses came in three intervals -- 6:30 a.m. (CDT), approximately 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
First on the track was The Apache (Arlington Million), who jogged an easy mile under Philip Shea for trainer Mike de Kock. Next came the threesome of Duntle (Beverly D. Stakes), First Cornerstone (Secretariat Stakes) and Visiyani. Duntle was all business under Donal Manning for trainer Dave Wachman as she did a lap and quickly went back to the barn. First Cornerstone did two spirited laps and looked to get some great air under Thomas Bradley in the process for trainer Andy Oliver. The Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained Visiyani was a picture of serenity under Jonathan Fleutot as he went about his training without a hitch and soaked in his environment.
Moments later, the Michael Bell-trained Wigmore Hall (American St Leger) led the Marco Botti-trained duo of Guest of Honour (Million) and Dandino (St Leger) in a single file jog around the course. The son of High Chapparal -- winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf over the Arlington grass in 2002 -- was full of life on the track under Gillian Doman. Marco Botti, a Festival winner last year in the American St Leger, gets in later this week, but his wife Lucie was aboard his lightly raced Guest of Honour. Stephanie Thewils was on possible St Leger favorite Dandino. Also on the track was Side Glance, under Leanne Masterton.
At approximately 7:30 a.m., exercise rider Donal Manning got his second spin on the course when he took out Gifted Girl (Beverly D.), who looked very comfortable jogging among local trainees. Paul Cole trains the daughter of Azamour. At about the same time on the other side of the grounds, Mull of Killough (Million) put in a "gentle canter" on the Arlington training track under Abigail Harrison, according to a photo and tweet posted by trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam.
At 11:00 a.m. the final group of Europeans hit the course when the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Hunter's Light (Million), Sir Michael Stoute-trained Dank (Beverly D.) and the Jeremy Noseda-trained duo of Grandeur (Million) and Yeager (Secretariat) cleared quarantine.
Grandeur and Yeager hit the course first, with Yeager putting in a spirited gallop over the Polytrack course under Joe Scully, while stretching out nicely. Grandeur, under Wayne Tanner, was more reserved and relaxed -- routinely galloping as if he has been stabled here his entire career.
Hunter's Light then hit the ground and stretched his legs over the surface. A Group 1 winner on both turf and synthetic, he struck the ground with purpose under regular exercise rider Jeff Marshall. Godolphin representative Steve Armstrong looked on as the muscular son of Dubawi went through his first steps over the local course.
"He looked good, I think," he reported. "Tomorrow he'll do a 10-furlong canter and we'll see how he feels. We'll wait for (head trainer) Saeed (bin Suroor) to get here."
Armstrong's confidence is well founded based on what appeared to be an obvious preparatory race in Munich on July 28, where Hunter's Light finished third in the Bayerisches Zuchtrennen.
"The German race was basically sort of just a stepping stone. This was always the plan, to come here," he explained.
Last fall, the earner of $925,111 impressively took down the Premio Roma at Capannelle on the grass at the 10-furlong distance of the Arlington Million.
Since then, Hunter's Light has been aimed toward the best middle distance races in the world. He ran three races in Dubai in the late winter and early spring, including a win in the Maktoum Challenge Round 3 and a seventh in the Dubai World Cup. Before his placing in Germany, the globetrotting horse was a decent sixth in the International Cup in Singapore.
"He's a pro -- nothing bothers him. He's so relaxed and has traveled so much," Armstrong said.
The last European to hit the track Tuesday was the impeccably fit Dank, who took her time soaking up the paddock and then the course itself. A curious filly, she walked around for quite some time before deciding it was time to jog under Marie Doe.
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Aug 14, 2013 22:46:24 GMT -5
2013 GI Arlington Million Stakes The 31st edition of the $1,000,000, GI Arlington Million Stakes, for the older male turfers, at 1 1/4 mile over the Arlington turf this Saturday has drawn yet another top international field of older turfers as it has so many times in the past. PP's - YOu can also get PP's for Beverly D, and Secretariat at this site www.downthestretches.com/This race is also a “Win and You’re” for this year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf tussle too! Leading the way for the American side is 2012 Breeders’ Cup turf champ Little Mike , who had made 2 unsuccessful Grp starts over in Dubai this past winter, then landed in the 4th spot of the GI United Nations at Monmouth Park in a tired looking finish! He is the 2012 defending champ here so if he can muster that 2012 winning form again here on Saturday a successful title might be in the cards. Rahystrada , winner of the GIII Arlington Hcp last out and is no stranger to this Arlington turf course either. He picked off that 1 1/4 mile course in a nice 2:01.3 last out winning by 1/2 length over, Temeraine , got his first ever graded placing in that same GIII Arlington Hcp. last out but had to split horse to even get up for 2nd. He might be in the best form of his career right now but his best might not be good enough in this GI grouping. Finnegans Wake , is no stranger to the Arlington grass either as his finish 2nd in last year’s GI Secretariat Stakes here on Arlington Millions Day. Recently however he has finished 4th in both the GI Manhattan and GI Man O’ War Stakes at Belmont Park. Real Solution , 3rd in the that same GI Manhattan Hcp last out finishing just a length or so behind Point of Entry in that turfer. He’ll need another big effort like that one to even vie here on Saturday! Nates Mineshaft , rounds out the 2013 “Team America” entries here, as this one is best known for some serious front running hcp. division wins in early 2012 on the dirt. He took some time off after an ok 3rd in last year’s GI Stephen Forster. He has however, tried 3 times to win here at Arlington this year finally winning an Alw test here last out over a very yielding turf surface at a mile in a very middling 1:39.3 all the way on the front end! The front end is the most likely spot for him here on Saturday but we wouldn’t expect him to go wire to wire here on Saturday! “Team Europe’s” best here this year is probably Side Glance , whose name seems to appear in every top European Grp turfer though he’s not won a big grp race since the Grp 1 Queen Anne at Epsom on June 1st of 2012. Always a threat and always shows in big races like this one. So, if you are using euro’s here on Saturday you’re using this one! Hunter’s Light , who made such a big splash over in Dubai this winter comes to this race off a solid 3rd performance in a $200k Grp 1 German turfer last out. He’d be our #2 euro thought. Grandeur , is an on again/ off again U.S. and European turf runner with a GII Hollywood Turf cup win last year and last out finished a fine 2nd in the Grp 2 York Stakes at York racecourse over in the British Isles! A good price on this one might put him into our exotics thinking as well. Indy Point , a champion from Argentina way, Mull of Killough , out of the Aidan O’Brien barn along with Guest of Honour and The Apache rounds out this year’s European contingent. So, if big international turfing with a million dollar purse is your thing than tune in for the GI Arlington Million dust-up this Saturday and watch’em run! Post time – 5:44 pm CT PP. Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L Odds 1. Real Solution A Garcia 126 C C Brown 10/1 2. Finnegans Wake R Albarado 126 D L Romans 30/1 3. Hunter’s Light R L Moore 126 S bin Suroor 8/1 4. Nates Mineshaft E T Baird 126 A P Smith 30/1 5. Temeraine E Castro 126 T F Proctor 30/1 6. Side Glance J P Spencer 126 A Balding 12/1 7. Indy Point G L Stevens 126 R E Mandella 9/2 8. Mull of Killough J P O’Brien 126 J Chapple-Hyam 12/1 9. Guest of Honour M Harley 126 M Botti 15/1 10. The Apache C Soumillon 126 M F de Kock 15/1 11. Little Mike J Rosario 126 D L Romans 5/1 12. Rahystrada R Napravnik 126 B G Hughes 20/1 13. Grandeur W T Buick 126 J Noseda 7/2
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Post by Jon on Aug 15, 2013 23:38:12 GMT -5
Can Stevens add to his incredible win list since coming back?
Million reasons for Indy Point
When Richard Mandella says "math" is the reason Indy Point is running in the Arlington Million on Saturday, the Hall of Fame trainer isn't talking about speed or pace or time between races.
No, Mandella is talking about the numbers to the left of the decimal point on the purse total: a one and six zeros. Despite being a three-time Group I winner in his native Argentina, Indy Point has only earned $559,061 lifetime, meaning a win in the $1 million Arlington Million would be more lucrative than his entire 13-race career.
"He looked good out there today," Mandella said of Indy Point's 1 1/2-mile gallop on the Arlington main track Thursday morning. "We worked him a mile last week, and he galloped out 1 1/8 miles, so the fancy stuff is done. Now we just have to keep him happy."
Indy Point runs for Felipe Lovisi's GusMay-Fer, which bred the Indygo Shiner colt and raced him 12 times in 2012 in Argentina before exporting him to Mandella's stable in Southern California. Mandella said Indy Point was ready to run in the American Handicap on May 25 at Hollywood Park, but a virus caused Mandella to reroute to Del Mar where he won the Wickerr Stakes on July 24.
"He always gave me a good feel, but I always give (my imports) four-to-five months, and it wouldn't have been surprising if he had needed a race to shake off the cobwebs," Mandella said. "The way he ran I was thinking maybe we'd need an extra week, but I trained him the next week, and he wasn't set back at all."
This will be the ninth Million starter for both Mandella and Indy Point's jockey, Gary Stevens. Mandella has one win with The Tin Man in 2006, and Stevens has won the race twice: Golden Pheasant in 1990 and Marlin in 1997. Indy Point was a few lengths off the pace in the one-mile Wickerr, and Mandella expects similar tactics stretching out to 1 1/4 miles.
"So far that's worked, so there's no need to get creative," Mandella said.
Indy Point has won at distances from six furlongs to 1 1/2 miles, including a 1 3/16-mile score in a Group 1 on turf.
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Post by Jon on Aug 16, 2013 15:56:39 GMT -5
Million longshot Mull of Killough okay after brief scare By Marty McGee DRF
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Mull of Killough, one of six European runners in the Arlington Million, had a minor setback Thursday but went back to the track Friday, said trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam.
“He got cast in his stall during the early morning hours [Thursday] and wasn’t quite 100 percent, so we just walked and trotted him around the barn a bit,” said Chapple-Hyam. “He is fine now and ready to go. He went to the training track and walked two laps around [about a mile] and then cantered about 1,000 meters. We should be all set.”
Mull of Killough, with Joseph O’Brien to ride, is pegged at 12-1 on the Arlington morning line. A 7-year-old Irish-bred gelding with 8 wins from 27 starts, he is one of the elders in the field, only the American runner, 9-year-old Rahystrada, being older.
New York riders will arrive late
Six jockeys riding the 12-race Arlington Million card Saturday at Arlington Park will be arriving on a charter flight together from Saratoga Springs, N.Y., but the flight is expected to arrive too late for those named in the first race of the day to fulfill their mounts.
The two-hour flight into nearby Palwaukee Airport is expected at about 12:30 p.m. Central, and the first race is scheduled for 12:45. The jockeys booked on the flight are Joel Rosario, Rosie Napravnik, Alan Garcia, Robby Albarado, Edgar Prado, and Alex Solis.
Several of them are named in the first, the $65,000 Straight Line Stakes, but replacement riders probably will have to be named. Rosario and Albarado also are named in the second, a $42,000 allowance set for 1:15. None is named in the third.
The first of the four major stakes, the $400,000 American St. Leger, goes at 3:52. The 12th race, in which Rosario and Napravnik are named, is set for 6:55. The flight is scheduled to return to Saratoga as soon as possible after the program.
Federal Aviation Administration regulations do not permit pilots to work more than 12 consecutive hours, which is the reason there are such tight timelines involved.
Seven European trainers make trip
In terms of actually being on hand at Arlington, Chapple-Hyam is one of seven among the European training contingent stateside.
A total of 12 Euro trainers have horses spread among the four major Saturday races. According to Duck Donald of the International Racing Bureau, the others who are already here or will be Saturday are Saeed bin Suroor, Andrew Balding, Jeremy Noseda, David Wachman, Andrew Oliver, and Alain de Royer-Dupre.
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Post by Jon on Aug 16, 2013 23:07:12 GMT -5
Some background on th Euros Noseda confident in Grandeur Grandeur has already proven his fondness for American conditions (Benoit Photo) Trainer Jeremy Noseda arrived from England on Wednesday night to see his two International Festival of Racing charges one day after they both left quarantine and resumed training toward their respective races. Yvonne Jacques' Grandeur has been established as the morning line favorite at 7-2 for the Grade 1 Arlington Million, while Charles Fox's lightly raced Yeager is at 12-1 for the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes. "I am delighted. I think they're in great nick and I couldn't be happier. They traveled well and as far as we can tell, everything is exactly as we'd like it to be at this point," said the conditioner of Group 1 winners in three different countries. "I think they're both looking great. They look the same way they did before they left home and that's all I want to see." Grandeur and Yeager have both done little more than jog and canter since arriving this week, but both have shown great energy. Just prior to boarding the plane to come from England to the United States, the two charges put in final serious works. "They both worked Friday on the July racecourse in Newmarket and they both worked seven furlongs on the grass. They both pleased me with their good works." Grandeur is definitely garnering more attention from the media, especially with a proven record of being able to ship to the United States and win. Last year, the son of Verglas spent November and December in California, where he competed in three graded stakes and won two of them, including an easy win in the Hollywood Turf Cup. This year, he has raced twice and last out ran a blinder to finish second to Mukhadram in the York Stakes at York Racecourse in a field filled with Group 1-performing horses. "I think he's suited by American style racing. He loves quick ground and he fits with these horses. I prefer to be 3-1 favorite instead of 33-1. I think when you look at the race, he stacks up as the obvious horse in the race. "Little Mike is probably the most proven horse, but this year it looks like he might not be the same horse he was at the same time last year. You don't win an Arlington Million and a Breeders' Cup Turf without being very good, but his races this year are just not quite at the same level," Noseda said in reference to the defending champion and one of his chief opponents. Noseda is also very high on Yeager, a studdish colt who has consistently impressed onlookers in the mornings and again while schooling Thursday in the paddock. "I think he is improving. I'm pretty sure Lasix will help him. I know he has to make a big jump here, but I think he's capable of running a lifetime best -- hopefully that's good enough. He's a good moving horse. I think he's a horse who is just coming to his best at this moment." Last out, the very well bred son of Medaglia d'Oro out of a Fusaichi Pegasus mare easily conquered his elders at Ascot in a one-mile handicap by 2 1/4 lengths. The race was only his fourth start and his second win. He joins the Aga Khan's Visiyani and Team Valor International's First Cornerstone as a trio of unproven but promising Europeans facing the Americans. "The other two European horses have better form than me, but I'm expecting this horse to step up his game and I think he'll be competitive with them," Noseda explained. "With the Americans, it's hard to say. But, they haven't exactly run big numbers on the sheets, I don't think. They don't look like a vintage group. I might be wrong (about them), but I think this horse is ready to step up."
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Post by Jon on Aug 16, 2013 23:09:11 GMT -5
Wigmore Hall back at Arlington for fourth straight year
While Rahystrada's feat of four Arlington Million runs is definitely worth celebrating this weekend, perhaps even more impressive is the fact that Wigmore Hall is also making his fourth start at the International Festival of Racing -- in his third different race. In 2010, a three-year-old version of the High Chaparral gelding ran a huge race to finish second to Paddy O'Prado in the Secretariat Stakes. In 2011 and 2012, the Michael Bell trainee ran commendable closing races in the Million to finish fourth and seventh, respectively, losing by just over three lengths each time. This year, he attempts the $400,000 American St. Leger.
"I hope he gets (the win) this time," assistant trainer Gillian Dolman said. "I think we probably got Dandino to beat. We've raced against him. I don't know too much about the Americans.
"He definitely knows he's back here (at Arlington). He loves it here and at Woodbine. He's feeling really well. He's going around there bucking and squealing."
The two-time Grade 1 winner has twice left Arlington to subsequently win consecutive runnings of the Northern Dancer Turf at Woodbine Racetrack in Canada. That race is at 12 furlongs over an undulating course that can be testing for any horse.
On Saturday, when he enters the American St. Leger, he will have to run 1 11/16 miles (or 13 1/2 furlongs) -- 1 1/2 furlongs farther than he ever has attempted. Despite the novelty of such, Dolman is confident in her charge's ability to get the conditions.
"He's only been 2,400 meters, but I think he can get the extra ground (of the St. Leger). He won the Northern Dancer at 2,400 meters and he doesn't really have a preference on ground. He wouldn't want it rock-hard, but good to firm is perfect," she explained.
On Saturday, Wigmore Hall will be ridden by Jamie Spencer -- a champion jockey in both Ireland and England -- and will be well supported at the windows (morning line odds are 7-2).
"I don't know what the riding plans are, yet. We'll leave that to (Bell) and Jamie. He does always seem to fall out of the stalls. I would think Jamie would track him across and drop behind -- that's his usual style of running. Hopefully he'll finish fast late. We are hoping there will be a bit of early pace. He usually likes to come off a faster pace."
No matter what happens, Dolman adores her horse and greatly appreciates what he has done for the Bell stable.
"I just wish in the beginning I would have made a Facebook page or something for him. He's taken us so many places and people seem to really like him."
Brisnet
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Post by mrdelmarwasmybitch on Aug 17, 2013 18:03:41 GMT -5
wow it just gets better and better for me.................. 100 wp on the apache and 8.00 exacta 10-6.
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Post by Evelyn on Aug 17, 2013 18:07:41 GMT -5
Wiz - uh oh - Tough DQ but seeing the head on, don't think the stewards had much choice.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2013 18:17:07 GMT -5
wow it just gets better and better for me.................. 100 wp on the apache and 8.00 exacta 10-6. WELL, THERE YOU HAVE IT. THAT HORSE HAD NO CHANCE OF STAYING UP, I WONDER HOW THAT CONVO WENT IN THE STEWARDS ROOM STEWARD 1: TAKE HIM DOWN HE IS NOT AMERICAN
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Post by mrdelmarwasmybitch on Aug 17, 2013 18:23:33 GMT -5
hey kk do me a favor and go F* yourself. im sure you the last time you bet two dollars on a race was the day princess di ate shit!! stick to posting your biased opinions like you know something while the rest of us participate. oh wait, I forgot. supposedly you are :involved in racing".
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Post by Evelyn on Aug 17, 2013 18:26:47 GMT -5
KK - He really drifted out and banged into the 1 several times! The Euros did ok in other races today. I really think you're way off base on this one. They took a long time, as if they didn't want to DQ, But really, did you see the head on?.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2013 18:37:52 GMT -5
hey kk do me a favor and go F* yourself. im sure you the last time you bet two dollars on a race was the day princess di ate shit!! stick to posting your biased opinions like you know something while the rest of us participate. oh wait, I forgot. supposedly you are :involved in racing". HAD YOU TAKEN THE TIME TO READ MY POST AND CAL M YOUR EMOTIONS YOU WOULD SEE THAT I WAS NOT MAKING THE POST TO BE AGAINST YOU. THAT WAS RACE RIDING, HORSES WILL BANG, THE STEWARDS IN AMERICA ARE BEHOLDEN TO NOBODY SO THERE FOR THAIR WORD IS FINAL, I WONDER WHO WAS MAKING THE CASE FOR THE HORSE TO SAY UP ? WICH IS SOMETHING THAT NORMALLY HAPPENS IN A 3 STEWARD ROOM, AND I HAD NOT BET $2 ON A HORSE SINCE 1989 AT GARDEN STATE PARK
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