Past Performances for Arlington Million Day stakes races

[two gun sid]

Beverly D: http://ntra.equibase.com/eqbNTRAGetFreeFF.cfm?trk=AP&rd=08/09/2008&cty=USA&de=D&rn=9
Looks like a tough race with Dreaming of Anna, Mauralakana and Precious Kitten. You pick 'em.

Secretariat Stakes: http://ntra.equibase.com/eqbNTRAGetFreeFF.cfm?trk=AP&rd=08/09/2008&cty=USA&de=D&rn=8
This race always seems to produce a new turf superstar. To me it looks like Tizdejavu's race to lose but IEAH has got a horse in here named Plan. He's trained by Aidan O'Brien and Tabor is a part owner. Also getting first time Lasix if you like that angle. I'm playing an exacta with those two horses.

Arlington Million: http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdfs/mcpeek_120184.pdf
I'm playing an Archipenko-Einstein exacta. If it rains and the turf is yielding Archipenko should win this easily. Einstein has finished 2nd in his last 2 races but one of them was on the dirt. I wish IEAH would have given Kip DeVille a shot at this race.

[aaronbees]

1. A great day on the Arlington lawn

Beverly D: I like Precious Kitten here as she seems to be rounding into form. I'll root for Dreaming of Anna, but I think it's a distance a touch beyond her best. This should be a good race.

Secretariat: Tizdejavu. Hard to look past him. And I always root for the Tiznow kids. Plan does look good but less confident with him.

Million: Archipenko looks strong, but I'll take the French invader, Spirit One. Einstein the second choice.

And for old time's sake, Phil Georgeff brings 'em home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ2ByoMBq6k :D

[two gun sid]

2. Rene Douglas wins the Secretariat aboard Winchester in 2:01.3

Plan 2nd and chalk Tizdejavu 3rd. Winner paid $17.00

[two gun sid]

3. Mauralakana(FR) win the Beverly D in 1:55 flat

Communique 2nd. Torque de Queda(GB). Dreaming of Anna 4th and Precious Kitten 5th.

[two gun sid]

4. Spirit One(FR) wins The Million in 2:02.17 pays $29.40

Archipenko 2nd. Mount Nelson(GB) 3rd. Einstein up the track in 5th.

[TZ]

5. Hey Sid..

Whats this about Curlin not running in the Breeders Cup?

[two gun sid]

8. I haven't seen anything definitive that he won't....

there was some speculation that Jackson and Asmussen didn't want to run him on that artificial surface. They said they might try him on the turf in the BC. I don't know. I think they have to run him in one of those races.

[TZ]

12. I heard an interview with Dutrow

today where he commented that Curlin might not go to the BC....and I heard some other commentators mention it.
I also heard that Dutrow is thinking abour running BB in a turf race....

[two gun sid]

13. Hmm...Dutrow is privy to Curlin's future plans...

I think Dutrow is talking out of his butt. A lot of turf writers have speculated that Jackson would not run Curlin in the Classic again because of the polytrack and the fact that he is already a winner of the Classic and has nothing to prove. Jackson and Asmussen have helped fuel that speculation. I just don't see where you put a horse like that other than the richest race in the US, do you? I mean you could run him in the Turf but he'll be facing good European shippers and he couldn't beat Red Rocks at Belmont. Of course, the SoCal turf might give him an advantage but it might not. Both surfaces are unknowns for team Curlin. I say take him out to Cali and let him work over the track and if it doesn't seem to bother him run him in the Classic. As long as he beats Big Brown I don't care where he finishes. If he's next to last, Big Brown needs to be last.

[aaronbees]

6. Yes!

Now I wish I'd been at the track and actually bet Spirit One, who relaxed nicely on the lead once the speed failed to come and challenge him. Einstein broke horribly.

[two gun sid]

7. Why did you like him? I mean he was not one I gave much of....

a chance. I got my ass beat today at the windows. What did you see in Spirit One? Have you seen him race before or did you think the race would play out like it did? You made a damn good call.

[aaronbees]

9. His consistency

And he's run against top company, arguably better company than anyone else in the field. He finsished only 2 1/2 lengths behind Duke of Marmalade, the best middle distance older turf horse in the world, just two races back. He's faced Literato, Lawman, Soldier of Fortune, Astroner Royal, Creachadoir - all classy horses and apart from a disastrous French Derby (more than a year ago) he's never disgraced himself and been right there many times. I could't believe he went off at 13-1. I always keep an eye out for French-raced horses who seem to be just on the edge of the top tier. They seem like good bets in these situations.

[two gun sid]

10. Well, shit, I really suck at hadicapping turf races....

I think I try to over analyze the races. Good call on Spirit One. Does he go in the BC Turf?

[aaronbees]

11. I think I'm more comfortable with turf

Thanks!

When I first got into horse racing as a youngster I loved following the turf races out in California; I'd look for those stories first when I got my Blood Horse in the mail, and it must have been the John Henry influence. So I think I have a better sense of pace and tactics on the turf. I'm pretty horrible at sprints; that's my big handicapping weakness.

My picks didn't do squat outside of the Million today. I'd love to see all top three from the Million go to the BC Turf but have no idea what their plans are. Archipenko's for real and a good horse and could turn the tables out at Santa Anita. I'm excited to see the BC turf races there this year.