Recapping the Races; the Arlington Million and More

Recapping the Races; the Arlington Million and More

Hardest Core Winning the Arlington Million – nobody expected the results that came in the 32nd running for the Arlington Million. Hardest Core was 20-1 on the morning line for the million. He sat a perfect trip all the way around the course, until he had to go wide on the turn, but once he hit his stride in the straight, he caught the fast Galileo colt, Magician, who was a European invader. We did not expect Hardest Core to keep the title here in the States, but now, we have to possibly take him seriously in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. The Arlington Million was a “win and you’re in” race for the premier turf race, the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Euro Charline Takes the Beverly D. in a Surprising Surge – Euro Charline was another horse today whom everyone took lightly. Paying out $23.60 to win, Euro Charline did prevail for the Europeans. She saved ground along the rail for most of her trip, before be switched to the outside for clear running room.  She fended off late running Stephanie’s Kitten, and a flattened out Somali Lemonade. Euro Charline has a paid ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Whether she goes or not is yet to be seen, but if she does, I think she should not be taken lightly! Euro Charline is a European, running on grass…what else needs to be said?

Adelaide (IRE) takes the Secretariat Stakes Title Across the Pond – Poised the whole way, sitting in a perfect third, letting Tourist lead the way, but not letting him turn into the stretch alone, Adelaide struck to win by a length and a half. The Galileo colt was wide into the stretch, but never really lengthened his stride until Ryan Moore got him out into the middle of the racetrack. Now, this race does not count as a “win and you’re in” race, so, what will Adelaide be poised for next?

The Pizza Man Delivers to the American St. Leger – The Pizza Man was not the favorite for this race, but counting out this horse was obviously a bit of a mistake, paying $12.60 to win. The 5 year-old English Channel gelding seems to only get better with age. With a perfect stalking trip the entire way, the Pizza Man took the lead when Big Kick could run no further. He opened up and easily repelled Dandino (GB). This race was a marathon at 1 11/16 miles, which was contested over the Arlington turf course around three turns.

Stopchargingmaria Charged into Three Straight Wins in the Alabama – Stopchargingmaria is a serious filly! What a race! She never stops fighting, as we’ve seen in her last three races. She was content to sit a bit off the pace up the backstretch in a stalking position, while Size set a turtle like pace up front. The only filly to make up any ground was Joint Return, who came surging at the end, to secure second. Stopchargingmaria will next head to the Cotillion where she is likely to encounter Untapable. Who will take the lead for the three-year-old filly championship there?

Crown Queen Much a Queen in the Lake Placid – With the small field, the distance and pressure of other horses was not a problem for Crown Queen. Pressing Duff One for the entire trip. Crown Queen barely caught Duff One in the stretch, who was very game, and ended up getting nabbed at the wire for wire for the second place finish. The Lake Placid was not a “win and you’re in” race, but Crown Queen could very likely be headed for a race in which she could make it into the Filly and Mare Turf division. Look for her down the road!

Who Said Maiden Races Aren’t Exciting? – Race 6 at Saratoga today was only a baby race, but what an exciting race it was! Two-year-olds going 6 ½ furlongs is your typical maiden, right? We may have found some talent in the winner of race 6, and he is definitely one to watch for the future. His name is Bold Conquest, and he won the head bob at the line, taking the win from Money Changer. Those two colts traveled the entire stretch glued side to side. The fight will likely do both of them a lot of good and give them a lot of experience and maturity. The Curlin colt will likely be seen headed for more distance and better competition soon.