2019 Arlington Million Study Guide

Aug 09, 2019 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A strong field of 10 top turf performers will take aim on Arlington Park on Saturday in the 37th running of the $1 million Arlington Million (G1) . The cast is led by the defending champ, the top domestic turf runner in training, as well as four accomplished European invaders, in what promises to be a memorable edition of the Million.

Here is the field:

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Robert Bruce Career Racing Stats

13 Starts
8 Wins
2 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $1,273,457

Top BRIS Speed rating (99) in Manhattan Stakes (G1) win

Owner: Convento Viejo LLC
Breeder: Haras Convento Viejo (CHI)
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Javier Castellano

Sire: Fast Company
Dam: Lady Pelusa
Color: Dark Bay

Defending champ draws the rail as he aims to go back-to-back in this storied event. The Chilean-bred five-year-old is winless from four races since his score on this lawn last summer, but he did put in a fine prep run when second to the favorite in the Manhattan Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park most recently. Robert Bruce gets a rider change to Javier Castellano for this endeavor.

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Magic Wand Career Racing Stats

16 Starts
2 Wins
5 Place
2 Show
Total Career Earnings: $1,795,141

Top BRIS Speed rating (103) in Man o’ War Stakes (G1) third and Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) second

Owner: Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith and Mrs. John Magnier
Breeder: Ecurie Des Monceaux and Skymarc Farm Inc. (IRE)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Wayne Lordan

Sire: Galileo
Dam: Prudenzia
Color: Bay

Filly will try the boys once again and hopes to secure her biggest triumph to date. This four-year-old has been runner-up at the highest level on four separate occasions, and the globetrotter will be dangerous if she gets a firm course to run upon. Wayne Lordan has the assignment atop the late runner.

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Bricks and Mortar Career Racing Stats

11 Starts
9 Wins
0 Place
2 Show
Total Career Earnings: $4,303,650

Top BRIS Speed rating (106) in Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) win

Owner: Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence
Breeder: George Strawbridge Jr. (KY)
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Sire: Giant’s Causeway
Dam: Beyond the Waves
Color: Dark Bay

Classy horse to beat has roared home to five impressive tallies in succession dating back to December and January when he romped in the inaugural Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) . The Chad Brown-trained dynamo comes in fresh following a convincing score in the Manhattan Stakes (G1), and the Kentucky-bred will be very tough to beat with his top performance.

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Catcho En Die Career Racing Stats

13 Starts
5 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $308,126

Top BRIS Speed rating (97) in Man o’ War Stakes (G1) fifth-placing

Owner: Sotirios Sakatis and Naipual Chatterpaul
Breeder: Livschitz Jorge Eduardo (ARG)
Trainer: Naipaul Chatterpaul
Jockey: Sophie Doyle

Sire: Catcher in the Rye
Dam: Lola Grill
Color: Dark Bay

Longshot took the Star and Stripes Handicap (G3) at Arlington in 2018 but faces an ambitious task in this race. The former claimer has defeated a total of one horse in three 2019 outings and would be a massive surprise against this fine field. It is worth noting that the gelding was elevated to third in the 2018 Million, however.

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Hunting Horn Career Racing Stats

19 Starts
2 Wins
2 Place
5 Show
Total Career Earnings: $885,428

Top BRIS Speed rating (102) in Man o’ War Stakes (G1) fourth-placing

Owner: Michael B. Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith
Breeder: Lynch-Bages and Rhinestone Bloodstock (IRE)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore

Sire: Camelot
Dam: Mora Bai
Color: Bay

Four-year-old colt nearly stole the Man o’ War Stakes (G1) when a narrow fourth at Belmont Park in May. The Irish-bred has lacked consistency throughout much of his career, and he was also well beaten in a lone prior run at Arlington when eighth in the 2018 Secretariat Stakes (G1). The likely pacesetter will have Ryan Moore in the silks.

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The Great Day Career Racing Stats

13 Starts
4 Wins
6 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $276,915

Top BRIS Speed rating (86) in Arlington Handicap (G3) second and Prince George’s County Stakes fifth-placing

Owner: Lael Stables
Breeder: Firmamento (ARG)
Trainer: Arnaud Delacour
Jockey: Trevor McCarthy

Sire: Harlan’s Holiday
Dam: The Great Glory
Color: Bay

Multiple Group 1 victor makes his third run since coming to the states off the heels of a nice runner-up showing in the local prep, the Arlington Handicap (G3). The intriguing Argentine was always pointing for this race and could offer good value with another move forward. Trevor McCarthy inherits the mount.

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Pivoine Career Racing Stats

19 Starts
6 Wins
0 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $266,968

Owner: King Power Racing Co. Ltd.
Breeder: Ballymacoll Stud Farm Ltd. (IRE)
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: Silvestre de Sousa

Sire: Redoute’s Choice
Dam: Fleur de Cactus
Color: Bay

Wildcard in the field has not competed at the top level in advance of the Million, but conditioner Andrew Balding would not put him in the race if he didn’t have in top form. Five-year-old gelding has some positional speed and might sit a good trip in the second flight with first run on the expected leaders. Silvestre de Sousa riding adds to his appeal.

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Captivating Moon Career Racing Stats

14 Starts
2 Wins
6 Place
4 Show
Total Career Earnings: $262,941

Top BRIS Speed rating (97) in 2018 Secretariat Stakes (G1) fifth-placing

Owner: Lothenbach Stables Inc.
Breeder: Lothenbach Stables Inc. (KY)
Trainer: Chris Block
Jockey: Jose Valdivia Jr.

Sire: Malibu Moon
Dam: Appealing Storm
Color: Bay

Four-year-old colt has run big races on this turf course and comes off a closing third-place finish in the Arlington Handicap (G3) in his 2019 debut. The Kentucky-bred colt has yet to break through at this level, but the bay is very consistent and will almost surely improve second time racing off the long absence. The top-three candidate makes the move to get leading local pilot Jose Valdivia Jr. as well.

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Intellogent Career Racing Stats

11 Starts
3 Wins
1 Place
2 Show
Total Career Earnings: $492,664

Owner: Fiona Carmichael
Breeder: Ecurie Des Monceaux (IRE)
Trainer: Fabrice Chappet
Jockey: Florent Geroux

Sire: Intello
Dam: Nuit Polaire
Color: Chestnut

Group 1 star adds both Lasix and blinkers for his U.S. debut for conditioner Fabrice Chappet. The chestnut colt seems to be progressing nicely in 2019 with a closing fourth at Longchamp most recently, and any improvement will give him a serious chance at the top prize today. Florent Geroux will ride the most interesting invader.

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Bandua Career Racing Stats

12 Starts
3 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $251,871

Top BRIS Speed rating (99) in 2018 Canadian International Stakes (G1) eighth-placing

Owner: Calumet Farm
Breeder: Judy Hicks and Kathryn Nikkel (KY)
Trainer: Jack Sisterson
Jockey: Adam Beschizza

Sire: The Factor
Dam: If Angels Sang
Color: Gray/Roan

Arlington Handicap (G3) romper had the ideal prep for this test and has run well in both tries over the Arlington Park turf surface in his career. The gray four-year-old, who was third in the 2018 Secretariat Stakes (G1), draws widest in the field after getting a dream run along the rail in his most recent performance. This talented colt has trained swiftly in the interim, and he will be forwardly placed from the opening bell under Adam Beschizza.