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Million Day Complete Program Comments - Printable Version 

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Comments for the Festival Races:
Secretariat Stakes
comments by Brian W. Spencer & Alastair Donald

1. Newsdad (U) (Closer) - A turf horse by trade, he's been in a couple of less than advantageous spots so far this year when testing the dirt and synthetics, and he improved when returning to the turf and finishing 4th in the Virginia Derby last out. Like Crimson China, he's got a couple from that heat to beat right back here along with some other stiff company, but he's another who might have a right to rally along late for a share. Needs a career best to score.
2. Ziyarid (IRE) (U) (Stalker) - Won his first start as a two year old, before disappointing in the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint Cloud on his second start, finishing a long way behind Roderic O'Connor. Brought along slowly in his three year old campaign, Ziyarid has improved with every start, winning twice in the French provinces before winning the Group III Prix Daphnis on his latest start. Progressing the right way, and could well be open to yet more improvement.
3. Treasure Beach (GB) (E) (Stalker) - Twice a winner as a two year old before being put in his place when 11 lengths third to the mighty Frankel at Ascot, Treasure Beach has enjoyed an outstanding three year old year. He went down by a head to Pour Moi in the Epsom Derby before winning the Irish Derby at the Curragh at the end of June. That sort of form gives him outstanding claims in this race, but he has done all his racing this year at twelve furlongs, and the drop back in distance to ten furlongs might just be a concern.
4. Crimson China (U) (Stalker) - A minor stakes winner over the Monmouth lawn earlier this summer, he was no match for a few of these in the Virginia Derby last out, crossing the wire a well-beaten 7th that day. He's got those tables to turn, and now he runs in an even tougher spot with Willcox Inn and some intriguing Euros lined up, and it appears he's got his work cut out for him. Respect the team, but he's going to need the race of his life to get the job done.
5. Casino Host (U) (Closer) - This son of Dynaformer got near the top in the lane in the Virginia Derby but was just unable to hold off Air Support and Banned down the lane, eventually checking in 3rd at 20-1 on the board. Thinking that the move to 10 furlongs was the key for him, as he's bred to run all day, and he's a rather consistent type who rarely runs a bad one. Thinking he might be in a bit tough for the win today, but there's little reason to exclude him from your Exotic wagering strategies.
6. Suntracer (U) (Closer) - He's been finishing up his races very well, but he's only proven capable of 2nd-best behind Willcox Inn in a pair of stakes tries so far this summer here. The waters get even deeper this afternoon, and though his team must be respected, it's not clear that he's run a race in his career that would be quite good enough to share with this very salty crew. Prominent local connections are certainly easy to root for, but this might prove a tough spot to get a graded stakes score.
7. Banned (U) (Stalker) - He was just unable to get up and outfinish Air Support in that Virginia Derby last out, but he's proven himself as one of the most talented American-based sophomores on the turf this year. He's a versatile type with an ability to spy the pace or settle back and finish, and in a rather tough renewal of the Secretariat, he looks as good as any of the Americans.
8. Derby Kitten (U) (Closer) - A consistent finisher, he rallied from far back to snag 3rd behind Willcox Inn and Suntracer in his most recent effort in the American Derby. Tough to argue with the fact that he never really runs a poor race, but there's reason to believe that his very best might come in just a cut below the main contenders in this one. Could finish up well enough to land a share.
9. Willcox Inn (U) (Presser) - He's been as commanding as a horse can be in taking down the first two legs of the Mid-America Triple, having shown improved tactical pace since adding blinkers. It's impossible to argue with the way he's going right now, and he certainly didn't look like a horse who's going to mind an additional sixteenth of a mile to work with here. Expecting him to settle into a great spot just off the pace, and he's got every right to score his first Grade I victory here.
10. L'Aiglon (U) (Closer) - This son of Montjeu sure seemed to relish the stretch to 9 furlongs in his most recent run, where he scored a sharp victory with a sweeping and sustained wide move, but the problem is that race came against conditioned $25K claimers, and he's stepping all the way up into Grade I company today. Thinking his pedigree says he'll enjoy the added ground, and he's a neat little horse, but this is a huge class test, so it's tough to envision a scenario in which he makes any significant noise here.

Secretariat Stakes Race Key
Willcox Inn and Banned seem to have the best chance of upsetting a salty trio of Euro contenders in here, as all three are in sharp form of late and have a shot to win this one for the home team. Treasure Beach is a Group I winner in Ireland but might do his best work with a bit more ground to work with, while Ziyarid looks sharp enough to get the job done. For those playing the Exotics, Newsdad, Derby Kitten, Casino Host, and Suntracer could be eligible to finish up underneath.

Beverly D. Comments
Comments by Joe Kristufek & Alastair Donald

1. Stacelita (FR) (E) (Stalker) -- With three Group 1 scores and over $1.6 million in the bank, this 5-year-old mare exudes class. Favored in her first U.S. start last out, she gave the boys all they could handle in the United Nations at Monmouth, finishing a game third. A versatile performer, she may enjoy an advantageous pocket trip from the rail post. She's trained at Belmont leading up to this, and is on edge to fire a huge shot in the Beverly D.
2. Check The Label (U) (Closer) -- As a 3-year-old, this gal won four consecutive graded stakes, including the high profile G1 Garden City at Belmont. She's winless from just three attempts this season, but she did light the tote in two of those races. A tough gate break cost her a fair crack in her recent stakes run at Philly, but she still gutted out third. She faces some classy, seasoned lawnmowers in this one, but is not without a chance at a price.
3. Fantasia (GB) (U) (Closer) -- A miler by trade, this 5-year-old mare stretched out to 1 3/16 miles for her recent Modesty bid over the Arlington Park turf course, and she responded in kind fashion, winning in determined, stalk and pounce fashion. An extremely consistent performer, she always gives her backers a run for their money, and perhaps she's a found a new niche over distance for a master turf trainer in Jonathan Sheppard. Must be respected.
4. Upperline (U) (Stalker) -- A four-time winner from seven starts on Poly, this 4-year-old daughter of Maria's Mon has done some very nice work on turf too. She scored a pair minor stakes victories over the Fair Grounds green this past spring, but she's never won a graded event on turf. This 4-year-old steps up to face some classy turf females in this one, and needs to prove she belongs. She's also a question mark over the distance. Only in the bottom of the gimmicks.
5. Dubawi Heights (GB) (E) (Presser) -- Imported to the U.S. last summer, this pace pressing Southern California hot shot won her final start of the year, and this spring, she picked up right where she left off. In fact, she's forgotten how to lose. She boasts a four-race win streak entering the Beverly D, and has certainly taken her game to new heights. A sprinter in England, she's yet to be tested over this distance, and her speed figures fall a little short of the top contenders here. That being said, her tenacity must be respected.
6. River Jetez (SAF) (E) -- Winner of the G1 J&B Met in her native South Africa, this gal began her international campaign in Dubai, winning the G2 Balanchine on her second start there. She followed up with a second to Presvis in the G1rade 1 Dubai Duty Free (Million contender Wigmore Hall was 3rd). She put in another genuine effort when second to Gitano Hernando in the Singapore Airlines International Cup in May, before travelling to Newmarket for a brief rest after her Middle/ Far Eastern campaign. She ran well in her comeback race in the G1 Falmouth Stakes over an inadequate mile at Newmarket in July. She must hold a major chance in the Beverly D of adding to her growing reputation as one of the best mares in training.
7. Cheetah (GB) (U) (Closer) -- An improving 3-year-old in England, this gal was imported to the U.S. over the winter. They say the cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth, and the horse with the same name mirrored that sentiment in the recently run Dick Memorial at Delaware Park. She ran like she was chasing down her prey, uncorking an electrifying turn of foot that even the king of the jungle would be proud of. She's run three big races on this side of the pond, and stamina is not an issue. This could be her coming out party.
8. Pachattack (U) (Stalker) -- Pachattack returns for another shot at the Beverly D, after a sixth place finish in the 2010 renewal behind Eclaire De Lune. The Gerard Butler trained mare lost all chance that day with a tardy break from the gate, but has visited the winner's circle twice since then, taking out a fillies and mares race in Canada, and winning the G3 Matron Stakes here at Arlington on her latest start. Both of those races were on Polytrack, and she won by wide margins. This will be a lot hotter spot, but she looks ready to run to her best, and course and distance should suit.
9. Éclair de Lune (GER) (Stalker) -- The 2010 edition of the Beverly D will go down as one of the most memorable. Arlington chairman's Richard L. Duchossois had always dreamed of winning the race named for his late wife, and last year that dream became reality, courtesy of this gal. She followed up with a respectable run in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, but has fallen on hard times since, finishing no better than fourth in four starts this season. Defending her Beverly D. championship has been the target all along, so perhaps she jump up and run a big one today.
10. Romin Robin (U) (Stalker) -- A five-time winner on turf, this 5-year-old mare has never been better. A legitimate allowance and minor stakes type most of her career, she ran the race of her life last out in the local G3 Modesty, finishing a game second behind the classy Fantasia. She's only tasted graded stakes competition once in a 30-race career, and the G1 Beverly D. is one of the toughest female grass races run in the United States all season. She appears to have her work cut out for her.
11. Never Retreat (U) (Stalker) -- This hard hitting 6-year-old mare answers the Beverly D call to battle for locally based Team Block. She has been the model of consistency, winning six of her last 12 races, including the recent running of the G2 Dance Smartly at Woodbine. She hasn't run in a Grade I since '08, and those races came on dirt. That being said, she's a proven commodity who never fires a blank on turf. Must be considered in the gimmick equation.

Beverly D. Stakes Race Key
Eight-year-old mares are usually plying their trade in the breeding shed, but even at the advance age, River Jetez is as good as she's ever been on the racetrack. A 12-time winner with over $2 million in the bank, she's actually done some of her best work this year, holding her own against the boys along the way. Stacelita isn't as old, but she has a similar profile. She's held her own with some worldly stars. The 4-year-old filly Cheetah may have the most upside. Her recent close at Delaware Park was nothing short of scintillating. Fantasia and Never Retreat always fire big shots, Dubawi Heights has won four in a row, two of them graded stakes, and you can't forget about defending champ Eclaire de Lune. What a race!

Arlington Million XXIX Comments
Comments by Michael Costanzo & Alastair Donald

1. Rahystrada (U) (Stalker) - Winner of the 2010 Arlington Handicap and fourth in last year's running of the Million, this hard-hitting veteran gelding was beaten two lengths in the G1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on Derby Day, and has since returned with a convincing win in the $500k Colonial Turf Cup. One has to go all the way back to July 2009 to find his last truly poor effort, and one might argue that he's never been better than he has in his last three. Think the inside post is a bit unlucky as he essentially starts with the rail in front of him, but if he can get away cleanly and find a good early spot - and the two big horses in here don't run their race - he can run his race and be a factor.
2. Tajaaweed (U) (Closer) - Son of Dynaformer crossed the wire sixth in last year's running of this race, but he was likely in a bit over his head that day, and the feeling is a little different coming into this renewal. Two starts ago he was a strong second in the Opening Verse at Churchill, and he has since returned with a convincing winning run in the Arlington Handicap, a race he was all-out to finish third in back in 2010. As such, one might conclude that he enters this Million with a more legit shot at success than he did last year. And he really does look to be at his best as a 6-year-old. Don't think he is entirely out of this at all.
3. Dean's Kitten (U) (Stalker) - A two-time participant in Arlington stakes last year - finishing an adjudged fourth in the American Derby and fifth in the Secretariat - this son of Kitten's Joy halted a nine-race losing streak two starts ago when taking the Dallas Turf Cup. That effort was a step up from his second-place run in the G3 Ben Ali at Keeneland, and he has since returned with a third-place performance in the Arlington Handicap where he made a strong bid at the head of the stretch, before weakening some late. This guy seems to be moving forward while regaining some confidence lost following a 14th-place finish in last year's Kentucky Derby, but this looks a very tall task, especially for a decidedly G3-type animal.
4. Zack Hall (E) (Closer) - Relatively inexperienced for a 4-year-old having been unraced at two and making just seven career starts to date. He won three races as a 3-year-old, including a listed success, and has been more highly tried in two starts this year, posting a pair of good efforts with little success. Appears stamina laden and has never raced at a distance as short as 10 furlongs, so it will be interesting to see if he is sharp enough for this Million trip. His trainer, Mikel Delzangles, who sent out Makfi to win the English 2000 Guineas and Prix Jacques le Marois for the same owner Mathieu Offenstadt last year, clearly believes his colt can compete in this grade.
5. Gio Ponti (E) (Closer) - The hero of this race in 2009 and last year's runner-up when a half-length shy of defending his title, this champion son of Tale of the Cat enters the 2011 renewal off a third to Mission Approved in the Manhattan followed by a second to Cape Blanco in last month's Man O War. He did catch ground that had some give to it in both of those races, so perhaps firm going today would prove advantageous. A top-level professional throughout his career, 15 of his last 16 starts have come in G1 races. And while there may be some concern that his age is starting to show or that he is best at a mile, his guts and determination go unquestioned, and he is one of the all-time best to compete over this course.
6. Proceed Bee (U) (Stalker) - A proven winner with 11 victories from 24 starts, including G3 success on turf, this guy takes an ambitious step up in class off his recent third-place finish in the off-the-grass running of the Stars and Stripes. Prior to that effort he crossed the wire sixth in the Arlington Handicap, but was beaten less than three lengths at 18-1. Colt is no stranger to Million Day having finished fifth in the 2009 Secretariat, but no matter how one tries to spin it, this is likely to prove a highly difficult spot and perhaps getting up late to grab a minor award will make for a successful day.
7. Cape Blanco (E) (Stalker) - Unbeaten in three starts as a juvenile, this Galileo colt enjoyed a very successful 3-year-old campaign, winning the Group II Dante stakes at York while beating subsequent English Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Workforce, before going on to take the Irish Derby and Irish Champion Stakes. He began this year's campaign with a close up fourth in the Dubai World Cup but was unsuited by the step back to a mile at Royal Ascot when far behind Canford Cliffs and Goldikova. He appeared back to his best when taking the Man O'War at Belmont last time out and he has to be on anybody's shortlist as he targets an eighth career win and a fourth at G1 level.
8. Mission Approved (E) (Speed) - Claimed for $35k in June 2010, his first start for his new connections came in that year's running of the Man O War where this guy nearly stole it at 53-1, giving way to Gio Ponti in the absolute final jumps. He was then sidelined for nearly a year, returning ambitiously in the G1 Manhattan where he made the most of a funky speed-favoring yielding turf course while cruising to a 21-1 victory. He then returned in the Man O War where he tried to steal the race on the lead again, and while the end result wasn't what was hoped for, he still hung around late to finish fourth, thus proving his Manhattan win was no fluke. His tactics today should be of little surprise as he will try and make like The Tin Man, who led at every call in taking the 2006 Million.
9. Wigmore Hall (E) (Closer) - Returns to Arlington for the second year in a row after his second-place finish in the G1 Secretariat stakes behind the excellent Paddy O'Prado. He made a winning start to his 4-year-old campaign when taking the G2 Jebel Hatta in Dubai and followed that with a solid effort when third behind Persvis and River Jetez in the $5million G1 Dubai Duty Free on the Dubai World Cup card. He went on to race in Hong Kong and Singapore after Dubai, but didn't have races run to suit at either venue, and was only beaten about four lengths when seventh in the Singapore Airlines International Cup. Gelding runs well of a break, and has shown a liking for this course.
10. General Perfect (E) (Closer) - A 10-time winner from 44 starts, with nearly $500k in earnings, this guy had never gone beyond six furlongs for the first 38 starts of his career while running mostly in mid-level claimers. But then he won a turf sprint stake at Monmouth in July. And then he stretched out to try the G1 United Nations where he split a field of 10 so he tried the G3 Oceanport, and he was beaten just over two lengths that day - so here is. Obviously this is a very ambitious spot, and one would think that just splitting the field and picking up a check would be considered a success. And that's likely the best he can hope for.

Arlington Million XXIX Race Key
This year's Arlington Million plays like a heavyweight showdown from years gone by with Cape Blanco and Gio Ponti in lights on the marquee. The two have met twice this year with Cape Blanco getting the edge in both events - prevailing by two lengths in the last month's Man O War at Belmont and finishing fourth to Gio Ponti's fifth in the Dubai World Cup. But Gio Ponti is the hometown horse - sort of - having won the 2009 Arlington Million before narrowly missing a title defense last year when beaten a half-length for dual glory. The presence of those two alone make for a great race, but don't be fooled - Wigmore Hall is also a legitimate G1 animal, Zack Hall is a lightly raced raider that may have plenty of upside, Mission Approved can be deadly on the lead, while Tajaweed and Rahystrada can do damage when at their very best. Congratulations to the Arlington Park Racing Office and Stakes Coordinator George Berry for putting together a top-class international event.