Arlington Million

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The legendary John Henry captured the first running of the Arlington Million
(G1) in 1981 and the 10-furlong event is the biggest grass race in the United
States outside of the Breeders’ Cup. Turf champion KITTEN’S JOY (El Prado [Ire])
highlights the 23rd edition and ran big last year at Arlington Park when
capturing the Secretariat S. (G1) by 3 1/4 lengths. Owner Ken Ramsey is planning
on heading to France afterward and we hope Kitten’s Joy kicks butt in the Prix
de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1), but we’ll try to beat the 6-5 morning-line
favorite at short odds on Saturday.

Sweet Return has scored in his past two races, both Grade 1s (Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com) SWEET RETURN (GB) (Elmaamul) enters the Million in career-best form for trainer Ron McAnally, winning the Eddie Read H. (G1) and Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (G1) in his last two starts, and the five-year-old is three for four at 1 1/4 miles. The ground will likely have some give to it and Sweet Return has won over soft turf before. Even though he captured his last two races on the lead, the chestnut is far from one-dimensional. He can sit and pounce if another rival wants the early advantage, and we like that he’s worked well twice since winning at Del Mar 20 days ago. With his sharp present form, Sweet Return may prove impossible to reel in through the stretch on Saturday. Kitten’s Joy is still working his way back from knee surgery over the winter and could prove vulnerable in his second start of the season. Even though he is a Grade 1 winner over yielding ground in last year’s Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, the probability of soft turf could work against him because his only two losses from his last 10 starts have come on yielding grass in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) and Jefferson Cup S. (G3). The chestnut four-year-old returned to the races this year with a solid performance in the July 4 Firecracker Breeders’ Cup H. (G2), earning a 113 BRIS Late Pace rating for the one-length victory, and he is two for two at 10 furlongs. Kitten’s Joy looms as a strong threat to run past all rivals with his best effort.

BETTER TALK NOW (Talkin Man) is cross-entered to Saturday’s Sword Dancer
Invitational (G1) at Saratoga but appears more likely to run here due to the wet
weather in the area. The six-year-old gelding showed his affinity for a yielding
course when defeating Kitten’s Joy in the Breeders’ Cup Turf and enters the
Million off a victory over soft turf in the United Nations S. (G1). John
Velazquez has picked up the mount for trainer Graham Motion and will likely come
with a strong late challenge aboard Better Talk Now.

GOOD REWARD (Storm Cat) is two for two at 1 1/4 miles, both coming in Grade 1
races. He took the Manhattan H. (G1) at near 15-1 odds last out at the distance
and doesn’t figure to receive much support here despite that stellar effort. The
four-year-old brings commendable BRIS Speed and Late Pace figures into the
Million as well as regular jockey Jerry Bailey, and we’ll use the Shug McGaughey-trained
colt in the exotics.

TOUCH OF LAND (Fr) (Lando [Ger]) has faced top-class rivals in Europe this
year, recording respectable fourth-place finishes in both the Prince of Wales’s
S. (Eng-G1) and the Prix d’Ispahan (Fr-G1). Eleventh in the 2003 Million,
that experience could benefit the five-year-old and he picks up the
services of Pat Valenzuela. Touch of Land shows a good three-furlong breeze at
Arlington on Thursday and could challenge for a top three placing. ALOST (Fr)
(Highest Honor [Fr]) is another intriguing longshot candidate from Europe. He
actually shipped to the United States for the June 11 Manhattan, finishing
fourth by only a length, and remained in the United States to prepare for the
Million. The five-year-old gray owns a good late turn of foot and could prove to
be a serious stretch factor at long odds.

COOL CONDUCTOR (Stravinsky) drew a difficult outside post but does bring
encouraging form into this event for conditioner Ralph Nicks. The bay colt
probably prefers a little less ground and has never proven himself at this
level, but Cool Conductor ran well last time when capturing the Arlington H.
(G3) and can’t be dismissed from top three consideration. POWERSCOURT (GB)
(Sadler’s Wells) ran huge over firm turf in last year’s Million and was probably
unfairly disqualified because his actions had absolutely no impact upon the
result. However, he entered last year’s event in much better form for trainer
Aidan O’Brien and will face a tougher group in this year’s event. We’ll try to beat
him.

FOURTY NINERS SON (Distorted Humor) has hit the board in his first two graded
attempts but will be seriously tested for class in this spot. The four-year-old
is headed in the right direction presently for trainer Neil Drysdale, but we’ll
just watch to see how he fares at this level. WHILLY (Ire) (Sri Pekan) has
enjoyed a fine 2005 campaign for trainer Doug O’Neill, recording wins in the
American H. (G2) and San Marcos S. (G2) as well as a runner-up placing in the
Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1).The front-running type proved very game in his last
outing, but he’ll have difficulty sustaining his speed throughout 10 furlongs
against these rivals.