Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Full field likely for Million
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – One might think the horses would come out in droves to run for a million dollars, but though it doesn’t usually work that way, a full field is coming together for the Arlington Million on Aug. 12.
As of Wednesday, 14 horses, the most that can start, were considered likely entrants in the Million, for which preentries are officially due at midnight Saturday.
The list of probable entrants provided by Arlington and the International Racing Bureau, which coordinates travel and logistics for international shippers, includes four Europeans headed by Deauville, who won the Belmont Derby before finishing third as a 3-year-old in the 2016 Million. The other overseas shippers are Mekhtaal, Fanciful Angel, and Scottish.
Mondialiste, who won the Million last year, was briefly considered a possible runner after bouncing back into form with a second-place finish in the York Stakes on July 29 but now has been withdrawn from consideration and is likely to instead ship to Canada for the Woodbine Mile.
The U.S.-based horses considered likely Million entrants are Divisidero, Kasaqui, Beach Patrol, The Pizza Man, Ghost Hunter, Enterprising, Oscar Nominated, Oak Brook, and Applicator. Mike Maker trains Enterprising and Oscar Nominated and also is expected to cross-enter Taghleeb in the Million and the American St. Leger.
The field for the Grade 1, $750,000 Beverly D. is smaller but excellent. Among the likely pre-entrants is Dona Bruja, the Argentine import who has impressively won the Mint Julep Handicap and the Modesty Handicap in her two North American starts. She worked a sharp five furlongs in 1:00.60 on Monday at Keeneland for trainer Ignacio Correas, who also trains Kasaqui, second in the 2016 Million.
Set to face Dona Bruja are three Chad Brown-trained horses – Grand Jete, Dacita, and Rainha Da Bateria – as well as Hawksmoor, Prado’s Sweet Ride, Kitten’s Roar, and the German filly Sarandia. Three Aidan O’Brien-trained horses – Rain Goddess, Elizabeth Browning, and Alluringly – are under consideration.
Heading the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes, which also is coming up a solid race, is Belmont Derby winner Oscar Performance. Penn Mile winner Frostmourne is expected to run, as is American Derby winner Sonic Boom. Permian, who just missed last out in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris, heads a three-horse European contingent that also includes Taj Mahal and Afandem.
The American St. Leger, its purse reduced to $250,000 this year, is struggling in great part because, surprisingly, no Europeans are expected to come. Prospective starters include Keystonetovictory, Postulation, and Bullard’s Alley.
The Tabulator staying on dirt
The Tabulator won his career debut over Arlington’s Polytrack by more than nine lengths before capturing the $85,000 Prairie Gold Juvenile by 2 1/4 lengths over dirt on July 28, but rather than point to the Arlington-Washington Futurity, trainer Larry Rivelli said he will aim The Tabulator at the $150,000 Iroquois on Sept. 16 at Churchill Downs.
“I think he likes dirt better,” said Rivelli. “He really didn’t beat much first time out. If he wins the Iroquois, I can take him either to the Breeders’ Cup [Juvenile] or the Delta Jackpot.”
The Tabulator is by Dialed In and out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Fly to the Stars. He was impressive enough at a sale of 2-year-olds in training that owner Carolyn Wilson paid $460,000 for him. The Tabulator won on the lead in his debut but stalked and pounced on oddson favorite Mr. Jagermeister at Prairie Meadows, earning a 74 Beyer Speed Figure.
“He’s a super-nice horse,” Rivelli said. “So far, he’s done everything right.”
2018 dates requests similar
Illinois racetracks on Monday submitted applications to the Illinois Racing Board for 2018 race dates, and the requested schedule looks similar to the 2017 racing calendar.
Hawthorne, which applied for 55 Thoroughbred days, did request to start its 2018 spring meet on March 23, about three weeks later than this year. Since Hawthorne raced only two-day weeks in March, that is a loss of only six race days, and the break gives the track more time to convert its surface after a winter Standardbred meet ends March 2.
Arlington, if the dates applications are approved as requested, would once again be the winter dark-host track from Jan. 2 through early March, as was the case this year. A so-called host track derives more revenue from interstate simulcast handle than other Illinois tracks during a designated period.
Arlington requested a 71-day meet, with live racing starting May 4 and ending Sept. 30. There would be two race cards during each of the first two weeks, followed by three-card weeks through the end of June, four-card weeks in July and August, and three-card weeks again in September.
Thoroughbred racing would return to Hawthorne in a meet that begins in early October and runs through the end of December.
The 2018 racing schedule will be determined at an IRB meeting on Sept. 26 in Chicago.