Grade I Beverly D and Grade I Arlington Million

This Saturday is Arlington Million day.  For online racebook fans that regularly place off track betting wagers on turf races, it doesn’t get any better than this.  The Arlington Million is easily one of the best turf races in the United States.

Every year at least one top flight turf horse arrives from Europe to take on the best that America has to offer.  But the Arlington Million isn’t the only big race this Saturday.  There’s also the Beverly D for fillies and mares.

Let’s get to it!

Arlington Park – Race 9

Grade I Beverly D

$ 750,000

For Fillies and Mares Three-Years old and Up

1 3/16th miles on the turf

Precious Kitten, Dreaming of Ana and Mauralakana figure to get the most play, but I’m going with a filly that figures to be a long shot in this race.  That filly is Cicerole.  Cicerole has been very good in her native France with four wins, four seconds and a third in ten lifetime starts.  Although she’s been running in Grade III races over in France, she’s been doing very well.  The step up in class might hurt her, but the odds should be very nice. 

For second, I have to go with Mauralakana.  Although her speed ratings aren’t as good as Precious Kitten’s, Mauralakana has a closing kick that’s absolutely breathtaking.  She is the best of the American horses in this race and she should get a good pace to run at with Dreaming of Ana in here.  Third place goes to Precious Kitten who would be the choice if not for the fact that she’s coming off of a layoff.

1. Cicerole
2. Mauralakan
3. Precious Kitten

Arlington Park – Race 10
Grade I Arlington Million

$1,000,000

For Three-Year Olds and Up

1 ¼ miles on turf

Archipenko will be the favorite but there are a few other serious contenders in here including the Aidan O’Brien trained Mount Nelson.  Mount Nelson is coming into this off of a Grade I victory at Sandown Park in Great Britain.  He no doubt has the class and would only need J.P. Murtagh to give him a well-timed ride to beat this group.  He’s a stand out in my eyes.

Archipenko has to finish second because there isn’t a classy enough American horse to take the place money.  His online odds are going to be extremely short and for good reason.  He never runs a bad race but there’s going to be a lot of money in these pools.  So he’s worth taking a stab against.  For third I have to go with the George Arnold trained Streamed Cat.  He ran a lifetime best in his last race and could definitely bounce, but I think he might actually improve.

1. Mount Nelson
2. Archipenko
3. Stream Cat

Good Luck!