A field of 13 line up for Saturday’s Arlington Million. . (photo credit: arlingtonpark.com)
The Charles Appleby trained Tryster is the 7-2 morning line favorite in a field of 13 for the 34th running of the Arlington Million (G1), one of four graded stakes on the International Festival of Racing card at Arlington Park on Saturday.
William Buick is in to ride Tryster, who was fifth in the Prince of Wale Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot in his last start. His last win came in Dubai in the Jebel Hatta (G1). The son of Shamardal has won nine of his 14 career starts.
The Million is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) on Nov. 5 at Santa Anita.
World Approval is the second choice on the morning line at 4-1. Trained by Mark Casse, the gelding won the United Nations (G1) at Monmouth Park in his last start on July 3 over good ground. He will be ridden by jockey Florent Geroux and break form the 11 post.
Wake Forest is the third choice on the morning line at 5-1. The six-year-old was third in the United Nations in his last start. He has won one of three starts since arriving in the U.S. and landing with trainer Chad Brown. He won the Man O’ War (G1) at Belmont Park on May 14.
Brown saddled 2013 Arlington Million winner Real Solution, who won the race thanks to a disqualification of The Apache. Three of the last 13 runners that crossed the wire first in the Million were disqualified. Also disqualified for interference were Powercourt in 2004 and Storming Home in 2013.
The defending champion is back. The Pizza Man pulled off the mild upset last year, returning $13.80 for the win. He has won just one of his six starts since, taking the Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) last November. The gelding was fourth in the Stars and Stripes (G3) in his last outing, beaten three noses as the chalk.
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The $700,000 Beverly D. (G1) drew a field of 14 fillies and mares that will go 1 3/16 miles. The race serves as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).
Sea Calisi is the 7-5 morning line favorite for trainer Chad Brown. The trainer saddled last year’s winner Watsdachances and 2011 winner Stacelita.
The filly has made two starts in the U.S., winning the Sheepshead Bay (G2) off the layoff and then running second to Dacita in the New York (G2) in her last start. Dacita, who is also trained by Brown won the Diana (G1) in her next start.
The $450,000 Secretariat (G1) for three-year-olds going 1 ¼ miles on turf drew a competitive field of nine. The Brown trained Beach Patrol is the 2-1 morning line favorite.
The graded stakes action on Saturday starts with the $300,000 American St. Leger (G3) for three-year-olds and upward which drew a field of 11.
The Mike Maker trained Da Big Hoss, winner of the Belmont Gold Cup is the 9-5 morning line favorite.
Selections for all of the graded stakes at Arlington Park will be included in my Best Plays Report on Saturday.
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