Weekend Stakes Rundown: The Million
Description:
Photo: Four Footed Fotos
Arlington International Racecourse during the 2016 Arlington Million
Each week BloodHorse.com looks forward to the weekend's biggest races. Consider this your weekly guide to the best stakes races in North America. This week we have four grade 1 turf races, headlined by the Arlington Million, and rare graded stops at Ellis Park and Emerald Downs. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern) and full previews can be found through the link for each race.
Saturday, Aug. 12
2:44 p.m.—$200,000 Adirondack Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course
Trainer Todd Pletcher has two talented fillies, stakes winner Pure Silver and graded stakes-placed Stainless, entered in the 6 1/2-furlong test. Twin Creeks Racing Stables' Pure Silver won on debut June 22 against statebred company at Belmont Park. The Mission Impazible filly followed the victory with a 1 1/2-length score in the Lynbrook Stakes against statebreds July 16 at Belmont.
Saratoga Race Course, Saturday, August 12, 2017, Race 4Entries: Adirondack S. (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Pure Silver (NY)
John R. Velazquez
122
Todd A. Pletcher
2/1
2
2Stainless (KY)
Manuel Franco
118
Todd A. Pletcher
8/1
3
3Sly Roxy (KY)
Javier Castellano
118
Mark E. Casse
5/2
4
4Di Maria (KY)
Luis Saez
118
James T. Ryerson
20/1
5
5Proportionality (MD)
Paco Lopez
118
Horacio DePaz
15/1
6
6Limited View (MD)
Kendrick Carmouche
118
John E. Salzman, Jr.
4/1
7
7Wall of Compassion (KY)
Angel S. Arroyo
118
Rudy R. Rodriguez
12/1
8
8Southampton Way (MD)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
118
Horacio DePaz
5/1
4:40 p.m.—$75,000 Polynesian Stakes at Laurel Park
Lael Stables' grade 3 winner Divining Rod has found a soft spot for his 2017 debut, and ran the best race of his career last time out Nov. 26, when the son of Tapit finished just a head behind Connect in the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1). A victory would be welcome, however, as Divining Rod's last stakes win came back in the 2015 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G3).
Laurel Park, Saturday, August 12, 2017, Race 8Entries: Polynesian S.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Vorticity (KY)
Sheldon Russell
118
Cathal A. Lynch
6/1
2
2The Truth Or Else (KY)
Edgar S. Prado
124
Kenneth G. McPeek
8/1
3
3Final Prospect (MD)
Jomar Torres
118
Gary Capuano
30/1
4
4Rockinn On Bye (MD)
Taylor M. Hole
118
Stephen M. Casey
10/1
5
5Never Gone South (KY)
J. D. Acosta
118
Cathal A. Lynch
12/1
6
6Southern Barbecue (FL)
Forest Boyce
118
Kenneth Decker
30/1
7
7Divining Rod (KY)
Daniel Centeno
118
Arnaud Delacour
3/5
8
8Royal Squeeze (FL)
Feargal Lynch
124
Ralph E. Nicks
15/1
9
9No Distortion (KY)
Victor R. Carrasco
124
J. Larry Jones
12/1
4:50 p.m.—$400,000 Secretariat Stakes (G1T) at Arlington International Racecourse
Since he broke his maiden in August of 2016, Amerman Racing Stables' Oscar Performance has shown that when he gets firm ground to run on, he will fire. The Kitten's Joy ridgling has won his last four races on firm turf, including back-to-back victories in the June 3 Pennine Ridge Stakes (G3T) and the July 8 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T), his second grade 1 score.
Arlington International Racecourse, Saturday, August 12, 2017, Race 7Entries: Secretariat S. (G1T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Afandem (FR)
Lanfranco Dettori
119
Jean-Claude Rouget
9/2
2
2Sonic Boom (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
119
Ian R. Wilkes
8/1
3
3Permian (IRE)
William T. Buick
126
Mark Johnston
9/5
4
4Oscar Performance (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
126
Brian A. Lynch
8/5
5
5Gorgeous Kitten (KY)
Florent Geroux
119
Michael J. Maker
12/1
6
6Taj Mahal (IRE)
Ryan L. Moore
119
Aidan P. O'Brien
5/1
5:20 p.m.—$100,000 Monmouth Oaks (G3) at Monmouth Park
WinStar Farm's Overture broke through for her first stakes win last time out in the Indiana Oaks (G3) and is the only graded winner entered in the 1 1/16-mile test. The Congrats filly has never finished worse than third in all five of her starts.
Monmouth Park, Saturday, August 12, 2017, Race 10Entries: Monmouth Oaks (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Sine Wave (KY)
Albin Jimenez
116
Benjamin W. Perkins, Jr.
15/1
2
2My Miss Tapit (KY)
Eddie Castro
116
Todd A. Pletcher
3/1
3
3Overture (FL)
Joe Bravo
123
William I. Mott
5/2
4
4Frank's Folly (KY)
Frankie Pennington
116
Kelly J. Breen
6/1
5
5Teresa Z (KY)
Nik Juarez
116
Anthony R. Margotta, Jr.
8/1
6
6Babybluesbdancing (IL)
Antonio A. Gallardo
116
Terrel Gore
12/1
7
7You Know Too (KY)
Alex Cintron
116
Michael E. Gorham
8/1
8
8Proud and Fearless (KY)
Brian Pedroza
116
J. Larry Jones
3/1
9
9Who's the Lady (FL)
Carlos J. Hernandez
118
Kathleen O'Connell
15/1
5:58 p.m.—$250,000 American St. Leger Stakes (G3T) at Arlington International Racecourse
Keystoneforvictory got the better of The Pizza Man (who will in the Arlington Million later on the card) last time out in the Stars and Stripes Stakes (G3T) at 1 1/2 miles last time out July 8. The son of Shakespeare rallied from 11 lengths off the pace in his Arlington debut, and that effort, along with a score at Gulfstream Park in May at 12 furlongs, shows the bay colt has an affinity for three-bend races.
Arlington International Racecourse, Saturday, August 12, 2017, Race 9Entries: American St. Leger S. (G3T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Keystoneforvictory (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
121
Michael J. Maker
5/2
2
2Taghleeb (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
123
Michael J. Maker
2/1
3
3Crewman (KY)
Carlos H. Marquez, Jr.
121
Dee Poulos
15/1
4
4Alpha Warrior (FL)
Mitchell Murrill
119
Pavel Vashchenko
30/1
5
5Tobias (KY)
James Graham
119
Rafael A. Fernandez
30/1
6
6Applicator (KY)
Jose Valdivia, Jr.
119
Mikhail Yanakov
9/2
7
7Postulation (KY)
Jorge A. Vargas, Jr.
119
Edward L. Graham
5/1
8
8Bullards Alley (KY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
119
Tim Glyshaw
6/1
6:28 p.m.—$500,000 Fourstardave Handicap (G1T) at Saratoga Race Course
Sheep Pond Partners and Michael Ryan's Sassy Little Lila will take on the boys as the lone filly in a field of seven. Racing exclusively against females, the 4-year-old daughter of Artie Schiller has finished no worse than second in seven starts since her debut in June of 2016, including a pair of grade 1 placings—in the American Oaks at Santa Anita Park in December and the June 10 Just a Game Stakes last time out at Belmont.
Saratoga Race Course, Saturday, August 12, 2017, Race 10Entries: Fourstardave H. (G1T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Ballagh Rocks (KY)
Jose Lezcano
119
William I. Mott
10/1
2
2American Patriot (KY)
John R. Velazquez
121
Todd A. Pletcher
6/1
3
3Time Test (GB)
Javier Castellano
120
Chad C. Brown
8/5
4
4Weekend Hideaway (NY)
Luis Saez
112
Philip M. Serpe
3/1
5
5Sassy Little Lila (KY)
Luis Saez
112
Brad H. Cox
6/1
6
6Disco Partner (NY)
Tyler Gaffalione
119
Christophe Clement
2/1
7
7World Approval (FL)
Manuel Franco
121
Mark E. Casse
9/2
6:35 p.m.—$600,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G1T) at Arlington International Racecourse
She may have two wins in two starts since she arrived in North America, but Ignacio Correas IV says he has yet to see the best of Dona Bruja. In her first U.S. start, Dona Bruja notch a win in the Old Forester Mint Julep Handicap (G3T) at Churchill Downs June 10. Not quite a month later, she ventured to the Chicago area and got well acquainted with the Arlington turf in the Modesty Handicap (G3T) July 8, when she used an effortless late move to best a field that included grade 1 winner Time and Motion.
Arlington International Racecourse, Saturday, August 12, 2017, Race 10Entries: Beverly D. S. (G1T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Dacita (CHI)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
123
Chad C. Brown
4/1
2
2Prado's Sweet Ride (IL)
Carlos H. Marquez, Jr.
123
Chris M. Block
30/1
3
3Kitten's Roar (KY)
Florent Geroux
123
Michael J. Maker
12/1
4
4Dona Bruja (ARG)
Declan Cannon
123
Ignacio Correas, IV
7/2
5
5Grand Jete (GB)
Joel Rosario
123
Chad C. Brown
6/1
6
6Zipessa (KY)
Lanfranco Dettori
123
Michael Stidham
15/1
7
7Rainha Da Bateria (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
123
Chad C. Brown
6/1
8
8Sarandia (GER)
Andrasch Starke
123
Peter Schiergen
30/1
9
9Hawksmoor (IRE)
Julien R. Leparoux
123
Arnaud Delacour
9/2
10
10Rain Goddess (IRE)
Ryan L. Moore
117
Aidan P. O'Brien
5/1
7:19 p.m.—$1 million Arlington Million (G1T) at Arlington International Racecourse
On his top day Divisidero is as capable as any in the turf male division, with a list of vanquished rivals that includes a former divisional champion (Big Blue Kitten ) and a Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) winner (Tourist ). If one of those good days comes in the Million, the late-running millionaire could make good on his connections' long-held belief that he is capable of not just ascending up the ranks, but staying there for the longer haul.
Arlington International Racecourse, Saturday, August 12, 2017, Race 11Entries: Arlington Million XXXV S. (G1T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Oak Brook (IL)
Santo Sanjur
126
Brian Williamson
30/1
2
2Oscar Nominated (KY)
Florent Geroux
126
Michael J. Maker
15/1
3
3Enterprising (FL)
Corey J. Lanerie
126
Michael J. Maker
30/1
4
4Ghost Hunter (KY)
Edwin Gonzalez
126
Jamie Ness
30/1
5
5Deauville (IRE)
Ryan L. Moore
126
Aidan P. O'Brien
7/2
6
6Fanciful Angel (IRE)
Daniel Muscutt
126
Marco Botti
30/1
7
7The Pizza Man (IL)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
126
Roger A. Brueggemann
12/1
8
8Kasaqui (ARG)
James Graham
126
Ignacio Correas, IV
10/1
9
9Scottish (IRE)
William T. Buick
126
Charles Appleby
8/1
10
10Beach Patrol (KY)
Joel Rosario
126
Chad C. Brown
5/1
11
11Divisidero (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
126
William B. Bradley
5/1
12
12Ascend (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
126
H. Graham Motion
10/1
13
13Mekhtaal (GB)
Lanfranco Dettori
126
Jean-Claude Rouget
9/2
8:02 p.m.—$100,000 Pucker Up Stakes (G3T) at Arlington International Racecourse
Lipstick City is the second choice in a wide-open Pucker Up off an impressive 2 1/2-length victory last time out July 15 in the Boiling Springs Stakes at Monmouth Park. It was the first victory for the daughter of City Zip since her debut win in September of 2016 at Belmont.
Arlington International Racecourse, Saturday, August 12, 2017, Race 12Entries: Pucker Up S. (G3T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Royalty Princess (IL)
Edgar Perez
118
Alnaz Ali
30/1
2
2Fault (KY)
Miguel Mena
118
Michelle Lovell
8/1
3
3Lipstick City (KY)
Joel Rosario
120
Chad C. Brown
4/1
4
4Journey Home (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
120
H. Graham Motion
9/2
5
5Dontmesswithjoanne (LA)
James Graham
118
Brad H. Cox
8/1
6
6Sensitive (KY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
118
Brad H. Cox
12/1
7
7Lovely Bernadette (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
120
James P. DiVito
7/2
8
8Princess La Quinta (KY)
Carlos H. Marquez, Jr.
118
James M. Gulick
20/1
9
9Katinka (FL)
Mitchell Murrill
118
Michael Yates
30/1
10
10Happy Mesa (KY)
Florent Geroux
122
Michael J. Maker
5/1
11
11Canny (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
118
Michael Stidham
15/1
12
12Mo's M V P (KY)
Jose Valdivia, Jr.
118
Michael B. Campbell
30/1
9:03 p.m.—$200,000 Best Pal Stakes (G2) at Del Mar
A unique field of juveniles is headed by Kaleem Shah's undefeated Run Away. The Run Away and Hide colt won his debut at 4 1/2 furlongs in May at Santa Anita, then came back to win the Santa Anita Juvenile Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs by 1 1/2 lengths July 3.
Del Mar, Saturday, August 12, 2017, Race 9Entries: Best Pal S. (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Run Away (KY)
Flavien Prat
123
Simon Callaghan
8/5
2
2Dia de Pago (KY)
Corey S. Nakatani
118
Vladimir Cerin
20/1
3
3Master Ruler (FL)
Evin A. Roman
118
John W. Sadler
15/1
4
4Armour Plate (KY)
Rafael Bejarano
120
Eddie Truman
10/1
5
5Serengeti (OK)
Mike E. Smith
120
Bob Baffert
9/5
6
6Fleetwood (KY)
Kent J. Desormeaux
118
J. Keith Desormeaux
10/1
7
7Arawak (KY)
Tyler Baze
123
Wesley A. Ward
4/1
8
8An Ocala Ten (FL)
Victor Espinoza
118
Peter Miller
15/1
Sunday, Aug. 13
4:47 p.m.—$125,000 Seagram Cup (G3) at Woodbine
Stephen Chesney and Cory Hoffman's marathon specialist Melmich exits a victory in the 1 1/4-mile Dominion Day (G3) July 1, but the Wilco gelding also has a stellar 8-5-3 record from 18 starts at the Seagram Cup's 1 1/16-mile distance, including a win in the 2016 OLG Elgin Stakes Presented by Bear Stables and a third-place finish in last year' s Seagram Cup.
Woodbine, Sunday, August 13, 2017, Race 8Entries: Seagram Cup S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Gigantic Breeze (ON)
Gary Boulanger
119
Alexander F. McPherson
6/1
2
2Secret Passage (KY)
Patrick Husbands
119
Malcolm Pierce
20/1
3
3Melmich (ON)
Eurico Rosa Da Silva
121
Kevin Attard
6/5
4
4Bear'sway (KY)
Jesse M. Campbell
119
Reade Baker
20/1
5
5Keen Gizmo (ON)
David Moran
121
Josie Carroll
10/1
6
6Unbridled Juan (ON)
Luis Contreras
119
Josie Carroll
4/1
7
7Are You Kidding Me (KY)
Rafael Manuel Hernandez
119
Roger L. Attfield
5/2
5:02 p.m.—$200,000 Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course
The connections of Copper Bullet are hoping what he gleaned from his first try against graded stakes company—a "frustrating" second-place finish in the Bashford Manor Stakes (G3)—is something they have managed to undo in the last several weeks. The son of More Than Ready rushed up on inside to engage the pacesetter, dropped back approaching the turn, checked up briefly, and then re-rallied to finish 1 1/2 lengths behind Ten City.
Saratoga Race Course, Sunday, August 13, 2017, Race 8Entries: Saratoga Special S. Presented by Coors Light (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Bal Harbour (KY)
John R. Velazquez
118
Todd A. Pletcher
12/1
2
2Mo Diddley (NY)
Javier Castellano
118
Mark E. Casse
8/1
3
3Hollywood Star (KY)
Robby Albarado
118
Dale L. Romans
4/1
4
4Barry Lee (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
118
Horacio DePaz
4/1
5
5Crea's Bklyn Law (KY)
Manuel Franco
118
Michael Dilger
20/1
6
6Tempestad (KY)
Joel Rosario
118
Todd A. Pletcher
15/1
7
7Vino (FL)
Paco Lopez
118
Kelly J. Breen
12/1
8
8Diamond Oops (KY)
Luis Saez
122
Patrick L. Biancone
7/2
9
9Copper Bullet (KY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
118
Steven M. Asmussen
5/2
5:10 p.m.—$100,000 Groupie Doll Stakes (G3) at Ellis Park
If Brooklynsway runs to her best form, the Groupie Doll will go through the daughter of Giant Gizmo . Her earnings of $722,597 dwarfs her 11 other competitors and her six wins have all come in stakes, including Keeneland's Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) in 2016, in which she defeated multiple grade 1 winner I'm a Chatterbox.
Ellis Park, Sunday, August 13, 2017, Race 8Entries: Groupie Doll S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Put Da Blame On Me (KY)
James Graham
120
Michael A. Tomlinson
8/1
2
2She Takes Heart (KY)
Channing Hill
120
Edgar A. Estevez
30/1
3
3She Mabee Wild (IN)
Jon Kenton Court
120
Mark Danner
15/1
4
4Hone In (KY)
Miguel Mena
120
Victoria H. Oliver
30/1
5
5Adore (KY)
Gabriel Saez
120
Steven M. Asmussen
12/1
6
6Cced (KY)
Joseph Rocco, Jr.
120
Brendan P. Walsh
12/1
7
7Danzatrice (KY)
Shaun Bridgmohan
120
Steven M. Asmussen
4/1
8
8Tiger Moth (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
120
Brad H. Cox
7/2
9
9Walkabout (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
122
Ian R. Wilkes
5/1
10
10Pinch Hit (KY)
Fernando De La Cruz
115
Brad H. Cox
12/1
11
11Student Body (KY)
Sophie Doyle
115
Christopher Davis
10/1
12
12Brooklynsway (ON)
Calvin H. Borel
120
Bernard S. Flint
8/1
7:30 p.m.—$100,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) at Del Mar
With an eye on the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), Skye Diamonds will look for her second straight graded score following a standout score in the Great Lady M. Stakes (G2) at Los Alamitos Race Course, where she defeated grade 1 winners Constellation and Finest City.
Del Mar, Sunday, August 13, 2017, Race 6Entries: Rancho Bernardo H. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Rockport Babe (KY)
Martin Garcia
116
Mick Ruis
10/1
2
2Bendable (KY)
Mike E. Smith
123
Richard E. Mandella
9/5
3
3Skye Diamonds (CA)
Tiago Josue Pereira
122
William Spawr
8/5
4
4Constellation (KY)
Flavien Prat
123
Jerry Hollendorfer
2/1
5
5Munny Spunt (FL)
Drayden Van Dyke
112
Doug F. O'Neill
15/1
8:51 p.m.—$200,000 Longacres Mile (G3) at Emerald Downs
Last year's Longacres Mile winner, Point Piper, is back for more in Auburn, Wash., for the Pacific Northwest's premier Thoroughbred event. The 7-year-old son of Giant's Causeway hasn't won in seven starts since last year's 4 3/4-length score at Emerald Downs but has placed twice—both runner-up finishes in the 2016 Native Diver (G3) and Winter Challenge Stakes.
Emerald Downs, Sunday, August 13, 2017, Race 8Entries: Longacres Mile H. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Bistraya (LA)
Amadeo Perez
120
Robert Gilker
12/1
2
2Point Piper (KY)
Julien Couton
121
Jerry Hollendorfer
9/2
3
3Gold Rush Dancer (CA)
Evin A. Roman
120
Vann Belvoir
4/1
4
4Black Sona (OK)
David A. Martin
112
David B. Martinez
30/1
5
5Papa Frank (CA)
Jose Luis Zunino
113
Mary Tate
30/1
6
6Seattle Serenade (KY)
William Antongeorgi III
119
Jerry Hollendorfer
8/1
7
7Dedicated to You (WA)
Leonel Camacho-Flores
115
David B. Martinez
30/1
8
8Stryker Phd (WA)
Kevin E. Orozco
120
Larry D. Ross
12/1
9
9Mach One Rules (WA)
Isaias D. Enriquez
123
Frank Lucarelli
7/2
10
10Chief of Staff (CA)
Rocco Bowen
117
Michael Puhich
6/1
11
11Barkley (KY)
Javier Matias
121
Howard Belvoir
5/1
12
12Togrammashousewego (WA)
Eswan Flores
115
Charles Essex
20/1