Arlington Million highlights Colonial Downs

Saturday sees the biggest day in Virginia racing with the running of the international Arlington Million Stakes and Beverley D Stakes at Colonial Downs, in the ‘Festival of Racing.’

And can Godolphin’s US based Irishman Brendan Walshe make it back-to-back ‘Millions’ with Santin stepping up to the traditional Arlington Million of 1m2f, having been run at 1m1f last year

Again to be ridden Tyler Gaffalione, and to qualify for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, Santin is winless this year, having last year’s won the Arlington Million and Turf Classic Stakes both at Churchill Downs.

A 5yo Godolphin home-bred, he’s by America’s long standing successful sire Distorted Humor, from the duel Gr2 winner Sentiero Italia, a half-sister to the Citation Handicap winner Ashkal Way.

However, with Santin needing a good start in drawing 11, and Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby not starting Master of The Seas, its the Pegasus World Cup Turf winner Atone who has drawn ideal in 4.

To be again ridden by Kendrick Camouche for Michael Maker, he certainly can run-out a strong 1m2f, with his sire Into Mischief having sired Kentucky Derby winners Authentic and Mandaloun.

In winning up to 1m1f in his taking out the Pegasus Turf, Atone is a half-brother to the 1m2f winner Glassy Waters from the 1m1f winner Captivating Lass, by Belmont Stakes winner AP Indy.

However, there’s US turf specialist Chad Brown who has his United Nations Stakes winner Adhamo in the hands of Flavien Prat, has won up to 1m3f and is sired by French Derby winner Intello.

Now back at 1m2f, it was on turf for $1 million in prizemoney, and open for 3YOs and Up at weight-for-age, being introduced by Arlington Park president Joe Joyce and first run in 1981.

Being the first thoroughbred race to offer a purse of $1 million, the Arlington Million attracted the best of American and European owners and trainers, and was elevated to Grade 1 in 1983.

The iron horse John Henry became the Arlington Million only two-time winner when taking out the initial running in 1981, with Willie Shoemaker being the first Million Dollar winning jockey.

Today Chad Brown steps onto Colonial Downs with a record four Million wins, and is looking to advance that with Rockemperor an Adhamo, while seven Jockey share two wins a piece.

Accompanying the Arlington Million to Colonial Downs is the Gr1 Beverley D Stakes for Fillies and Mares at w-f-a over 1m1½f on turf, with entry into the Breeders’ Cup F&M Turf at Santa Anita.

First run in 1987, it received Grade 1 status in 1991 as was the quality of the runners from across America and Europe, with six winners being voted American Championship Female Turf Horse.

Today it’s the Ignacio Correas trained former Argentina 5yo mare Diada who heads the seven horse field, and again with Vincent Cheminand in the irons will carry 8-11lb and jump from Gate 5.

In coming off a second in the New York Stakes at Belmont over 1m2f, she previously won the Modest Stakes of 1m1f, and is by former Coolmore Australia shuttler Orpen, the Prix Morny winner.

In honouring history, the Gr2 Secretariat Stakes of I mile for 3YO’s is run on Colonial Down’s magnificent Secretariat turf track, and located in the great Secretariat’s home state of Virginia.

Yes, first run one-year and one-day after Secretariat’s 1-20 odds-on 9 length victory in the Arlington Invitational on 29 June 1973, today its Godolphin and Silver Knott at Colonial Downs.

Travelled from Newmarket, Charlie Appleby has his duel Gr3 winning Silver Knott in the hands of Jamie Spencer from Gate 1, being by French Derby winner Lope de Vega, the family of Postponed.

Today enjoying the ‘Festival of Racing Day’ at Colonial Downs, racegoers with be first welcomed by Jocelyn Russell’s breathtaking statue of Secretariat, that has trailered the country in announcing ‘Big Red’ as greatest racehorse ever born, being raised and trained at The Meadow Farm in Caroline County, now home of the State Fair of Virginia.