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Willcox Inn, Wasted Tears highlight Million Preview Day WILLCOX INN (Harlan's Holiday), winner of the the first leg of the Mid-America Triple when taking the Arlington Classic S. on May 28, returns to Arlington Park in pursuit of that series' second leg, the $200,000 American Derby (G2), on Saturday. The 1 3/16-mile turf test serves as the final local prep for the Secretariat S. (G1), which will be held August 13. The American Derby is one of three major stakes that comprise Arlington's Million Preview Day program. The 11-race card also includes the $150,000 Modesty H. (G3), the Beverly D. S. (G1) prep, and $150,000 Arlington H. (G3), the Arlington Million (G1) prep. As an added bonus, the 1-2-3 finishers in each of the races will have their entry and starting fees waived for the respective event next month if they choose to run. Willcox Inn stalked the pace in the 1 1/16-mile Arlington Classic before sweeping to the lead approaching the furlong marker and drawing off to a 2 1/2-length tally as the 3-2 betting choice. The Mike Stidham-trained colt has never missed the board in three turf trips, including a third-place run in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) at Churchill Downs last November. Robby Albarado, who guided the sophomore to his Arlington Classic victory, will once again be in the irons. Prominent among those set to line-up against Willcox Inn is DERBY KITTEN (Kitten's Joy), who comes into the American Derby off a third in the May 30 Lone Star Derby. Prior to that, the Mike Maker charge ran 13th in the Kentucky Derby (G1) after winning the Lexington S. (G3) over Keeneland's Polytrack. On the board in six of eight turf starts, his lone grass score came when he broke his maiden for a $75,000 tag at Gulfstream Park in January. Julien Leparoux has the call. Overseas invader CANNON HILL (Holy Roman Emperor) arrived earlier this week from Ireland. The bay gelding is trained by that country's leading conditioner Dermot Weld, who is no stranger to the American Derby having saddled Pine Dance to capture the race in 2000, Evolving Tactics (Ire) in 2003 and Simple Exchange (Ire) in 2004. Patrick Smullen, who rode the 2003 and 2004 victors, will make the overseas journey to partner with Cannon Hill on Saturday. Other of note in the American Derby include CLOSE ALLY (Giant's Causeway) and SUNTRACER (Kitten's Joy). Close Ally was runner-up in the American Turf (G2) and Lone Star Derby in his last two starts. He is trained by Neil Howard and will be ridden by Corey Lanerie. The Chris Block-trained Suntracer ran second in the Arlington Classic last time out after previously winning a pair of turf allowance races and will be looking to turn the tables on Willcox Inn with Shaun Bridgmohan aboard. One race earlier, the Bart Evans-owned and -trained WASTED TEARS (Najran) will attempt to stretch her speed out to 1 3/16 miles as the 122-pound starting highweight in the Modesty. The six-year-old has captured the last three editions of the Ouija Board H. (G3) at Lone Star Park, winning this year's renewal by five lengths in her most recent start on May 30. A 12-time winner in 17 starts on turf, including last season's John C. Mabee S. (G2) at Del Mar, she has never run more than nine furlongs in her career. Arriving in Chicago late last week, Wasted Tears worked three furlongs in :38 over the firm Arlington turf course Wednesday morning with the dogs placed well off the inside rail. Leparoux, who was aboard for her most recent score, retains the mount. Dual Group 3 victress FANTASIA (GB) (Sadler's Wells) comes into the Modesty off a second-place finish in the June 11 Just a Game S. (G1) at Belmont Park, and also placed in her other two starts this year, the Jenny Wiley S. (G2) and Distaff Turf Mile (G2). The Jonathan Sheppard pupil will be ridden by Rajiv Maragh while toting 120 pounds. Three horses -- ASKBUT I WON'TTELL (Horse Chestnut SAf[), ENDLESS EXPANSE (Ire) (Red Ransom) and MY BABY BABY (Bernstein) -- will each carry 118 pounds for the Modesty. Askbut I Won'ttell is winless in three starts this year but captured the Cardinal H. (G3) and My Charmer H. (G3) last year. Endless Expanse captured her North American debut on February 27 against optional claiming company, finished second in the Orchid S. (G3) in March, but was only able to run fifth last out in the April 28 Bewitch S. (G3). My Baby Baby is exiting a come-from-behind tally in the Mint Julep H. (G3). JUNIPER PASS (Lemon Drop Kid), hero of the San Luis Rey H. (G2) and San Juan Capistrano H. (G2) in California, and Argentinean Horse of the Year INTERACTION (Arg) (Easing Along) head a field of 10 older horses entered for Saturday's 10-furlong Arlington H. to close out the stakes action on the card. Juniper Pass will carry the starting highweight of 122 pounds under Brice Blanc, while Interaction, who will be making his first start since March 3 when he finished seventh in the Dubai City of Gold S. (UAE-G2) on the turf at Meydan, will weigh in at two pounds less with Corey Nakatani in the saddle in his North American debut. DEAN'S KITTEN (Kitten's Joy) enters the Arlington 'Cap off a victory in the Dallas Turf Cup at Lone Star Park in his most recent effort on May 30. The four-year-old colt was third through the finish line but subsequently placed fourth for interference in last year's American Derby over this course and then ran fifth in the Secretariat over the Arlington 'Cap course and distance. TAJAAWEED (Dynaformer) will be looking to better his third-place finish in this race one year ago and comes into this year's renewal off a good second in the Opening Verse S. at Churchill Downs three weeks ago.
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