The Arlington Million Stakes will at all times be certainly one of horse racing’s historic markers, because the 1 ¼-mile turf race was the primary to supply a million-dollar purse when its inaugural operating was held in 1981 at Arlington Park in suburban Chicago.
The Million was thereafter the marquee occasion at Arlington and anchored its Worldwide Competition of Racing card till the picturesque monitor held its final dwell racing meet in 2021. For one 12 months, the Million and different signature races within the Worldwide Competition have been run at Churchill Downs (which was the bulk proprietor of Arlington Worldwide), however in 2023, the races have been moved to a different Churchill property specializing in grass racing, Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va.
The second version of the Arlington Million at Colonial was initially scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 10, however was bumped again a day as a way to permit the monitor’s lush turf programs one other day of restoration after rain attributable to the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby deluges the Mid-Atlantic area. The Million will likely be held on Colonial’s outer turf course and will likely be proven dwell on FanDuel TV.
1. Integration (5-2 morning-line odds): Turned heads final summer time with two sharp wins on turf at Colonial, together with the Virginia Derby, and has stored good kind into his 4-year-old season even when stepping as much as the Grade 1 degree, ending fifth, third, and fourth in top-level stakes earlier this 12 months. Bought again within the winner’s circle with a 6 ½-length win within the Million Preview Stakes at Colonial July 13 and ought to be prepared to fireplace one other massive one on this race.
JOCKEY: Kendrick Carmouche; TRAINER: Shug McGaughey
2. Historic Rome (3-1): Makes his second begin in North America and first since final September, when he gained the Mint Million Stakes at Kentucky Downs by a half-length. He confirmed indicators of getting again to that kind in his latest begin July 13 in a one-mile Group 2 stakes in England, closing late to complete a detailed second. Prefers a turf course with some give in it and will get that right here.
JOCKEY: Jamie Spencer; TRAINER: Charlie Hills
3. Sugoi (8-1): Has excelled since being claimed by Mike Maker in April, profitable the 1 ½-mile Louisville Stakes at Churchill Downs in Could after which ending second by a half-length to Webslinger within the 1 3/8-mile Chorleywood Stakes on the identical course. He does greatest when on or near the early lead, and doubtless will likely be hustled to the entrance by Julien Leparoux, who rode him in each Churchill stakes.
JOCKEY: Julien Leparoux; TRAINER: Mike Maker
4. Nations Delight (8-5): After sensational seasons in 2022 and 2023, Godolphin homebred has fallen off barely in two 5-year-old begins, ending third because the odds-on favourite within the Man o’ Warfare Stakes in Could after which second within the Resorts World On line casino Manhattan Stakes, each in New York. Nonetheless, these two races have been gained by Godolphin stablemates Silver Knott and Measured Time, respectively, and to place it bluntly, “they ain’t right here.” A deserving favourite making his third begin of the 12 months, and who’s 6-for-8 lifetime at this mile and 1 / 4 distance.
JOCKEY: William Buick; TRAINER: Charlie Appleby
5. Highland Chief (12-1): Received a few graded stakes on turf, together with the Man o’ Warfare again in 2022, however missed all of 2023 and has not proven the identical kind in three begins this 12 months. Couldn’t shut the deal when second in a 1 1/8-mile mid-July turf stakes at Laurel Park final out and it’s exhausting to see him being an element on this race.
JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Graham Movement
6. Speak of the Nation (6-1): Onerous-trying kind who can’t appear to interrupt by means of and has come out on the quick finish of a number of stretch battles, together with in all three of his begins at age 4 this 12 months. He’s additionally by no means raced longer than 1 1/16 miles, and solely tried that distance as soon as again in early 2023 (an allowance win). Ought to press Sugoi’s tempo and might want to run the race of his life to win.
JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher
THE PICK: Nations Delight
LONGSHOT: Sugoi
SUPERFECTA: 4-1-2-3
