Handicapping: The 37th Arlington Million

By Rick Francis —-

BROWN DUO FORMIDABLE IN 37TH RUNNING

Race 11) Grade 1 Arlington Million 1&1/4 Miles Turf POST TIME 6:12 CDT

Chilean-bred Robert Bruce (1) looks to become only the second 2-time winner of the Grade 1 Arlington Million when he squares off against nine rivals in the 37th running of the world’s first million dollar horse race. The Chad Brown trainee, 5-year-old out of Fast Company, faces America’s top turf horse and stablemate Bricks and Mortar (3), a winner of five straight and Pegasus World Cup Turf champ.

Standing in the way of the Brown duo are a pair of Irish-bred 4-year-olds from the Aiden O’Brien barn, the field’s lone filly and possible Secretariat starter, Magic Wand (2), runner-up in Pegasus Turf, and a colt by Camelot, Hunting Horn (5), ridden by the always dangerous Ryan Moore.

Pivone (7) and Intellogent (9) both make their North American debuts and both with first time lasix, Intellogent also getting the blinkers.

A Calumet Farms colt out of The Factor, Bandua (10) enters off a textbook win in the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap, and trainer Chis Block sends out Captivating Moon (8), a show finisher in three straight.

Argentinians Catch En Die (4) and The Great Day 6) round out the field, with the latter exiting an improving second in the Arlington Handicap.

Selection: Brown duo will be short prices with Bricks and Mortar will keep Robert Bruce at bay leaving the legendary John Henry as the events only 2-time winner.

Selections: 3, 1, 9, 2