The Euro Horses…Vini, Vidi Vici
Arlington Million Stakes Day Recap
By Susanne Reardon
Midwest Thoroughbred
www.mwtmag.com
The Euros came, conquered and claimed the winner’s circle as their own at Arlington Park in the International Festival of Racing featuring the three Grade 1 Stakes; the Secretariat, the Beverly D. and the Arlington Million.
With slate grey skies and intermittent rain, it wasn’t looking good for any horse that fancied firm ground. Midwest Thoroughbred Magazine was talking to HRTV presenters Caton Bredar and Zoe Cadman when security came and told us to get indoors because a major downpour was imminent.
With a slight delay on the racing schedule, the International Festival of Racing saw the three European favorites live up to all expectations!
Cape Blanco, the 2010 Irish Derby winner, captured the 29th the Arlington Million in perfect form, prevailing by 2 ½ lengths over 2009 Million winner and 2010 runner-up Gio Ponti, a sentimental favorite.
Stacelita, making her second start U.S. start outside of her native France, caught California pacesetter Dubawi Heights approaching the eighth-pole and took the Grade I $750,000 Beverly D. for fillies and mares by 1 ¼ lengths. Éclair de Lune, the defending champion owned by Arlington chairman Dick Duchossois, was sixth in the most competitive of the three races.
In the Secretariat, Treasure Beach, the 2011 Irish Derby winner, outdueled French frontrunner Ziyarid in the stretch to emerge by a neck to win the Grade I $400,000 Secretariat for 3-year-olds.
Treasure Beach was the most heavily bet of the three victors, going off the 3-2 favorite in a field of nine and returning $5, $3.80 and $2.40. Stacelita ($5.80, $3.80, $2.80) was the 9-5 choice in her 11-horse race. Cape Blanco ($6.20, $3.80 and $3.40) was dispatched at 2.10-1 in the Million and Gio Ponti at 2.30-1 was the second choice among the 10 contestants.
Representing the Cape Blanco contingent was Alex Cole, racing advisor for Fitriani Hay, one of the 4-year-old colt’s four owners. The rain-softened course was a concern for Cole. “It’s a long way to come for soft ground,” Cole said. “It definitely didn’t play in his favor.” Jockey Jamie Spencer said Cape Blanco was “very aggressive in the post parade—he wanted to get on with it. “
For O’Brien, the Million conquest was his second in five attempts. He won in 2005 with Powerscourt, the year after the same horse finished first but was demoted to fourth for interference in the stretch.
Stacelita’s up-and-coming young trainer, Chad Brown, who was given the 5-year, made his Beverly D. debut with a bang. Her owner Martin Schwartz, who had won the Beverly D. in 2005 with Angara and 2006 with Gorella, was more than thrilled with his third victory.
Ridden masterfully by Ramon Dominguez, Stacelita stalked Dubawai Heights for most of the race before asserting herself in the final furlong to win the 1 3/16 mile race in 1:57.57. River Jetez, a globetreking mare from South Africa, closed with vim but couldn’t catch the first two and finished a head behind Dubawai Heights.