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2011 Arlington Million Preview

August 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Arlington Million is one of the premier turf races in America. Not only does it provide a massive $1 million purse, but it is so prestigious that it attracts entrants from across the pond almost every year. The winner receives an automatic entry to the Breeders Cup Turf. Notable victors include John Henry (twice), Manila and Star of Cozzene. 2009 winner Gio Ponti is back this year to try and become the second horse to win the Arlington Million more than once.

Rahystrada (Rahy x Ministrada by Deputy Minister) Love this old gelding. He rallied well to win the Colonial Turf Cup over Smart Bid last out. He loves the distance, but he may be in just a bit too deep this time.

Tajaaweed (Dynaformer x Uforia by Zeal) Shadwell Stable owned horse has 2 wins from 5 starts at Arlington and was last seen taking the Arlington Handicap as the favorite over Mister Mardi Gras. This is a good track and distance for him, but in the end it looks like he is in line for a minor award at best.

Dean’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy x Summer Theatre by Ide) Winner of last year’s Lanes End Stakes at Turfway Park found the winners circle for the first time since that score two back at Lone Star in the Dallas Turf Cup. This distance seems to be beyond his best, but he is working well and has top connections in his corner. Puncher’s chance for that reason.

Zack Hall (Muhtathir x Halawa by Dancing Brave) Regally bred colt is a winner of 3 races from 7 starts. He most recently finished fourth in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud earning a 116 RPR and before that finished a good second in the Prix d’Hedouville. Trainer Mikel Delzangles is opting to throw lasix on and jockey Christopher Soumilllon is making the trip to ride. Don’t count Zack Hall out.

Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat x Chipeta Springs by Alydar) Hasn’t won in his last five races and last saw the winners circle in the Shadwell Turf Mile. He is producing good second and third place finishes, but can’t seem to get over the hump. He has shown that he loves Arlington Park with a win and second place finish in this race. If the track comes up firm then trainer Christophe Clement will likely breath a sigh of relief. The old timer has two very sharp works since his last race where he was second in the Man O’ War and it looks like he is ready to run a big race.

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Proceed Bee (Bernstein x Procession by Private Terms) I hate to say a horse doesn’t have a chance, but this gelding would be a real shocker. He just isn’t good enough.

Cape Blanco (Galileo x Laurel Delight by Presidium) We loved this colt last out in the Man O’ War where he won for fun and paid $8 and change. He wasn’t a hard pick that day as the price was very generous and he simply outclassed the field. Much hasn’t changed since then. The colt is simply too good for most of his American counterparts to compete with him. Jimmy Spencer is making the trip to ride again for Aidan O’Brien.

Mission Approved (With Approval x Fortunate Find by Fortunate Prospect) Front running horse waltzed his way to a win in the Manhattan two back before fading to fourth in the Man O’ War last out. The Naipaul Chatterpaul owned and trained horse is working like a freak of nature since then with a :57 3/5 B move over the Saratoga turf training track on July 31. He wont just fold his tent when someone comes up to him and very well could wave goodbye as they turn for home.

Wigmore Hall (High Chaparral x Love And Laughter by Theatrical) Since finishing second to Paddy O’ Prado in last year’s Secretariat Stakes this gelding has won the Group 2 Jebel Hatta in the UAE and finished third in the $5 million Dubai Duty Free. His last two races where he faced top competition don’t inspire confidence, but this could be a class drop for him. I’m not wild about Wigmore Hall and I can’t quite put my finger on why. I won’t be using him on my exotic tickets.

General Perfect (Perfect x General Tree by General Assembly) Remember when I said Proceed Bee likely has no chance? Well this gelding really has no chance.

My top selection to win the 2011 Arlington Million is Mission Approved. He isn’t far behind the top two in this race (Cape  Blanco and Gio Ponti) in terms of talent and it looks like he is moving forward based on a strong work pattern. Let’s hope he can score an easy lead and get to the finish line first at a decent price.

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Bronze Sabre favored to take HRP’s Arlington Million

August 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Virtual racing at HRP is heating up and 2009 and 2010 Breeders Cup Turf winner Bronze Sabre is favored to add a third Arlington Million to his collection. His owner, Maverick Racing, will pick up a $600 check if his charge can do so. In his career Bronze Sabre is a winner of $8,063.29 with wins in 16 of 21 career starts.

The virtual horse racing version of the Arlington Million is contested under the exact same conditions as the real one and the total purse money is $1,000. Those horses most likely to keep Bronze Sabre out of the winners circle are Purple Rain and Raise A Cowboy. They finished 1-2 in the United Nations last out. Purple Rain is a winner of 6 of his last 7 races. His total earnings stand at $1,161.07. Raise A Cowboy is working beautifully for top trainer Dynark Stables and he won the Grade 1 Whittingham Memorial Handicap two races ago.

HorseRacingPark is a great place for those that love horse racing. The virtual racing game mimics real life horse racing in every way imaginable. The game has real life sires like AP Indy and mares like Bayakoa or Classy N Smart. The stakes calender in the game is the same as the real one and includes all three Triple Crown races (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes) as well as all Breeders Cup races.

Players have the option to race for cash or play on the free side of the game. I could go on and on for days telling about this great game, but I suggest you check it out for yourself. Clicking the HRP link in this paragraph or the image on the side of this page will get you 5 free horses to start. This is a $50 value! Let me know if you decide to play and I’ll try to provide a few pointers.

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Free Weekend Selections

August 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Alabama Stakes

Blind Luck (8-5) This filly just seems to know where the wire is. She has won three races by a nose and is clearly the one to beat here despite being second choice on the morning line. Look for her to come flying late under jockey Joel Rosario who will be piloting her for the second time.

Arlington Million

General Quarters (8-1) Trainer Tom McCarthy made clear early in the year that this race was the goal for his colt. He has done well on the turf. He won the Woodford Reserve earlier this year against some nice horses, and if he runs his best race he can down the favored Gio Ponti.

Del Mar Oaks

Crisp (6-1) What’s not to like about this filly? She is a Grade 1 winner this year and will have the services of red hot jockey Rafael Bejarano. The daughter of El Corredor will be going 9 furlongs for the first time in career. She has proved she can beat the favored Evening Jewel, and she ran a bang up race after clipping heels last out. I give her a huge shot and could see her going off at a price larger than 6-1.

Secretariat Stakes

Wigmore Hall (5-1) Like it or not, the Europeans have better turf horses than we do and this gelding will prove that. He beat 18 older horses two races ago despite a horrendous trip. The Michael Bell trainee has won at the distance twice from four starts. Paddy O’ Prado is an amazing animal, but I think this gelding will give him everything he wants and perhaps more. That’s not to say Paddy can’t or wont win, but I like my chances on this one at a good price.

Beverley D Stakes

Hot Cha Cha (6-1) Her price won’t be as ripe with the defection of Rainbow View, but she still warrants a big look. The Grade 1 winning filly ran strong last out to be third behind Tuscan Evening. She is clearly the best filly in the race and if she runs her race she will win. I love the bullet 1:00 B work entering this race. She needs a moderate to fast pace and as long as the pace setters don’t go slow I think she wins this event.

Lake Placid Stakes

It’s Tea Time (10-1) I’ve loved this filly ever since she ran second in the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. It’s hard to imagine her being 10-1 despite the fact that won an allowance last out. She has all the talent in the world and if she can get a pace to chase she will be tough to hold off in the lane.

Who do you like? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below!

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General Quarters targets Foster Handicap and ultimately the Arlington Million

May 23, 2010 By 3 Comments

It looks like owner/trainer/one man show Tom McCarthy is sending his star colt General Quarters to contest Churchill Downs second most prestigious race; the Foster Handicap.

General Quarters was last seen scoring an upset victory in the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve on the Kentucky Derby under card. It seems the son of Sky Mesa has found his home on the weeds. He will ultimately target the Grade 1 Arlington Million.

I think it was a great decision to put General Quarters on the grass. It made sense to give it a try since his biggest win came over a synthetic surface in the Grade 1 Bluegrass Stakes. Horses that run well on synthetic typically run well on turf, and vice versa.

General Quarters could find himself at the forefront of a division lacking in star power. The biggest names on the turf right now are Gio Ponti, Pressious Passion, and Courageous Cat. McCarthy’s colt has the potential to be better than all three.

Regardless of how good or bad he does in the Foster Handicap, this colt should stay on the turf. I think it is very clear to most of us that his best form shows up there. I’d hate to see him put in a strong second place or third place effort and then stay on the dirt. Sure, if he posts a stylish win there would be nothing wrong with keeping him on the dirt. However, I seriously doubt that will happen. With a little luck this colt could find himself in the winners circle for the Breeders Cup Turf later in the year.

What do you think about General Quarters? Where would you race him if he were yours?

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