Better Talk Now Arrives at Arlington for Million

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By Claire E. Novak
Better Talk Now shipped into Arlington Park early Friday afternoon for Saturday's Arlington Million (gr. IT).

The 6-year-old Talkin' Man gelding was "very relaxed," according to Arlington Park stall superintendent Cheryl Magana. "He walked in, rolled, got a bath, ate some grass," Magana said. "He seemed very comfortable."

Trainer Graham Motion confirmed Thursday that Bushwood Racing Partners' Better Talk Now would run in the Million rather than starting in the Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap (gr. IT) at Saratoga the same day.

The 2004 winner of the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) has run his best races over soft ground, and an entire day of showers in Chicago on Thursday helped to soften the course. Meanwhile, Saratoga's turf course is listed as unyielding.

"The weather was a huge factor," Motion said. "It's what started the wheels turning."

Better Talk Now's addition to the Million field brings the top three finishers of the 2004 Breeders Cup Turf together for a rematch. Motion would be happy to see a repeat of that race's results when Better Talk Now was followed under the wire by Eclipse Award winner Kitten's Joy and Powerscourt.

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