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Arlington Boosts Stakes; Adds St. Leger

Boosted by money from the Horse Racing Equity Trust Fund, Arlington Park has proposed a 2012 stakes schedule of 26 stakes races worth $5.8 million during the 90-day meet at the Chicago, Ill.-area track.

Slideshow: The Week In Photos - Aug 15, 2011

Arlington Million Day, Saratoga, Del Mar, and more.

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Cape Blanco Sails Again in Arlington Million

A yielding turf was just fine with favored Cape Blanco, who registered his second straight grade I score on North American turf in style for Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien in the Arlington Million (gr. IT) Aug. 13.

THS: Arlington Million 2011

Jason, Ian and Tim handicap the Arlington Million and Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park this weekend.

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Cape Blanco, Gio Ponti Meet Again in Million

Two-time reigning champion Gio Ponti will take another shot at winning his second Arlington Million (gr. IT) when he faces nine rivals in the prestigious race Aug. 13 at Arlington Park.

Ten Pre-Entered for Arlington Million

Pre-entries for the Arlington Million, Beverly D. Stakes, and Secretariat Stakes (all gr. IT) closed Aug. 6 with 10 older horses named to the 29th running of the Arlington Million.

Gio Ponti Working Toward Arlington Million

Castleton Lyons' Gio Ponti, reigning male turf champion, breezed five furlongs on turf Monday, July 25, at Saratoga as the 6-year-old continues to prepare for the Aug. 13 Arlington Million (gr. IT) at Arlington Park.

Multiple Grade I Winner Awad Dead

Millionaire and four-time grade I winner Awad died July 23 at Old Friends in Georgetown, Ky. The 21-year-old horse was discovered early in the morning in his paddock, dead from an apparent heart attack.

Arlington Million Likely Stop for Gio Ponti

Two-time reigning male turf champion Gio Ponti, denied a third consecutive win in Belmont Park's Man o' War Stakes (gr. IT) July 9, will likely point to the Arlington Million (gr. IT), according to his trainer.

Arlington Releases 2011 Stakes Schedule

Highlighted by the Arlington Million (gr. IT), Arlington Park will offer 22 stakes races worth more than $4.2 million during its 86 days of racing in 2011. The meet runs from May 6 through Sept. 25.

German Stallion Lomitas Dies

German stallion Lomitas, sire of North American grade I winner Silvano, has been euthanized because of health reasons.

Darley-bred Dream Ahead and Debussy Dominate

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter
Dream Ahead and Debussy have more in common than group/grade I wins the weekend of August 21-22: They're both Darley-breds piloted by jockey William Buick.

Debussy Catches 'Gio' in Arlington Million

English shipper Debussy, sent off at 11-1 in his United States debut, made a dynamic late burst along the inside to upset champion Gio Ponti in the Arlington Million (gr. IT) Aug. 21.

THS: The Arlington Million

Jason, Evan, and Tim Holland of twinspires.com preview the Arlington Million (gr. I). Also, picks for the Alabama.

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Rainbow View Injured, Out of Beverly D.

Augustin Stable's Rainbow View, the morning-line favorite for the $750,000 Beverly D. Stakes (gr. IT) for fillies and mares Aug. 21, has been scratched.

You Make the Call: Arlington Million Winners

Rank these past winners of the Arlington Million. Compare your rankings to the rest of the BloodHorse.com community.

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Remembering John Henry

Jon White remembers John Henry, 25 years after his retirement.

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Gio Ponti Seeks Arlington Million Repeat

Gio Ponti, who captured last summer's Arlington Million (gr. IT) as the favorite, looms as an even stronger 7-5 choice on the morning line when facing nine rivals in the 28th running of the Aug. 21 race.

Gio Ponti Tops Arlington Million Pre-Entries

Pre-entries for the Arlington Million (gr. IT) closed Aug. 13 with 10 older horses named to prestigious turf race.

General Quarters Eyes Arlington Million

Tom McCarthy's General Quarters, who fought gamely to capture last week's Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT) at Churchill Downs, is now being pointed toward the Arlington Million (gr. IT) Aug. 21.

Arlington Incentives for Festival Races

Arlington Park is offering a free pass to its biggest races for the winners of key European events - the latest in a long series of efforts to bolster the "international" part of the "International Festival of Racing."

Champion Older Male: Gio Ponti

Son of Tale of the Cat dominated the turf division in a season that lacked a main track standout; finished second to Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic

Champion Turf Male: Gio Ponti

Castleton Lyons' homebred won four consecutive grade I turf races, ran second in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (gr. IT) and Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).

Arlington Million Pushed Back Two Weeks

The Arlington Million (gr. IT) will be run two weeks later than it has been in recent years. Held in early August since 2004, the Million is scheduled for Aug. 21 this year.

Gio Ponti Much the Best in Arlington Million

Castleton Lyons' Gio Ponti notched his fourth consecutive grade I victory Aug. 8 at Arlington Park, as he rolled to a 1 1/4-length win in the Arlington Million (gr. IT) under Ramon Dominguez.

THS: Arlington Million (Video)

Jason, Tom, and Les Instone from Brisnet/Twinspires.com preview the Arlington Million (gr. I). Plus picks for the Whitney (gr. I).

ESPN Airs 'Million' and Beverly D. Aug. 8

Two of the most prestigious turf races on the North American racing calendar, the Arlington Million and Beverly D., will be aired live Sat., Aug. 8, on ESPN from 4:30-6:00 p.m. ET.

TV, Radio Coverage of 'Million' Program Set

HRTV will broadcast the grade I Arlington Million and two other grade I stakes as part of the Aug. 8 program at Arlington Park in Illinois, while the Horse Racing Radio Network will offer a two-hour broadcast from the track.

American Trio Headlines Tough Million Cast

Often times, European horses are the focus of attention in the internationally prestigious Arlington Million (gr. IT). And while the 2009 edition of the race does include three capable foreigners, it is a trio of terrific American horses that are the ones to beat this time around.

Gio Ponti Top Choice in Arlington Million

Einstein, who stumbled at the start and finished fifth in last year's Arlington Million (gr. IT), drew the inside post for this season's prestigious turf race at Arlington Park, which will be held Aug. 8.

Strong Field Lining Up For Arlington Million

Einstein and Gio Ponti are just two of several talented turf horses considering the Aug. 8 race.

Grade I Winner Mr. Sidney to Race in 'Million

Mr. Sidney, winner of the grade I Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland and grade II Firecracker Stakes at Churchill Downs, will make his next start in the Aug. 8 Arlington Million (gr. IT), owner Lee Einsidler said July 13.

NTRA to Offer Telecast of Grade I Stakes

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced June 30 the broadcast schedule for "Emirates Airline Summer Racing Presented by the NTRA."

'Million Winner to Receive Berth in Japan Cup

The winner of the 27th edition of the Aug. 8 Arlington Million (gr. IT) will receive an automatic invitation to participate in the $5.6 million Japan Cup (Jpn-I) Nov. 29 at Tokyo Racecourse, it was announced by the Japan Racing Association.

Arlington Stakes Schedule Announced

The International Festival of Racing, featuring the 27th running of the grade I Arlington Million, tops a 2009 schedule that includes 27 stakes races worth $5,325,000 during 98 days of racing at Arlington Park from May 1 through Sept. 27.

DeKock Backs Off on Million Comments

South African trainer Michael DeKock has backed off his comments made immediately after the Aug. 9 Arlington Million (gr. IT), in which his horse Archipenko was upset by Spirit One.

Spirit One Goes Wire-to-Wire in Million

French-bred Spirit One, the least accomplished of three European invaders in the Arlington Million (gr. IT), sprinted to an early lead and never relinquished it, eventually holding off favored Archipenko in the final yards to win by three-quarters of a length Aug. 9 at Arlington Park.

Sudan Injured, Out of Arlington Million

Gary Tanaka's Sudan, projected as the probable pace setter in the Arlington Million (gr. IT), was withdrawn from the race Aug. 8.

That Handicapping Show: August 7 (Video)

Hosted by Jason Shandler and Tom LaMarra, "That Handicapping Show" is a weekly video show dedicated to horse players. This week, Jason and Tom take a look at the Arlington Million (gr. IT). Plus, the La Jolla Handicap (gr. IIT) from Cary Fotias of Equiform.

Probable Favorite Works For 'Million'

World traveler Archipenko, projected favorite in the $1-million Arlington Million (gr. IT) Aug. 9, accomplished a pedestrian seven-furlong breeze over Arlington's turf course Aug. 5, picking up the pace to get the last quarter in :27 with regular South African jockey Kevin Shea in the irons.

Curlin to Make Next Start in Woodward

Curlin will make his next start in the $500,000 Woodward (gr. I) Aug. 30 at Saratoga, Stonestreet Stables' Jess Jackson told media members Aug. 5, but the majority owner would not commit to sending the reigning Horse of the Year anywhere after that, including the Breeders' Cup later this year at Santa Anita. Jackson also left the possibility open that Curlin could race next year, saying the chances were "pretty slim, but not foreclosed."

Arlington 'Cap: Cosmonaut Seeks History

Flying Zee Stable's Cosmonaut will attempt to become the first horse in the 73-year history of the Arlington Handicap (gr. IIIT) to win the event three times, as the son of Lemon Drop Kid takes on five rivals July 12 in the $200,000 turf event, which is the final local prep for next month's Arlington Million (gr. IT).

Arlington '08: 27 Stakes, $5.5 M

Arlington Park released its stakes schedule for 2008, which includes 27 added-money races worth more than $5.5 million. The meet runs from May 2-Sept. 21.

The Tin Man 'Doing Well' After Knee Fracture

The multiple grade I-winning The Tin Man has been retired after fracturing his right knee while coming out of ankle surgery Oct. 25.

Legend John Henry Euthanized

John Henry, the 32-year-old legendary gelding who has been at the Kentucky Horse Park since 1985, was euthanized at 7 p.m. Oct. 8.

Commentary: The Mr. D Way

By Ray Paulick - Duchossois offers a special brand of hospitality to the racing fans and horsemen.

Jambalaya Spoils the Day For The Tin Man

On a day when nothing seemed to go right for American turf horses, it seemed only fitting that one of the nation's best was narrowly defeated in the Arlington Million (gr. IT) Aug. 11. After leading in deep stretch, last year's Million champion The Tin Man was overtaken in the final few strides by Canadian-bred Jambalaya, who rallied from well off the pace to win by a three-quarters of a length and earn a berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf later this year at Monmouth Park.

The Tin Man Looks For Second Straight Million

At this point in his career, nothing The Tin Man does would be a surprise. But if the gutsy 9-year-old gelding can pull off another victory in the Arlington Million (gr. IT) Aug. 11, it might be the greatest accomplishment of his championship career.

Cosmonaut Rockets to Arlington Handicap Repeat

Flying Zee Stable's odds-on choice Cosmonaut made it back-to-back victories in the $200,000 Arlington Handicap (gr. IIIT) when once again wiring his rivals on Saturday, reporting home by the same 2 1/4-length margin as a year ago.

Arlington to Run 27 Stakes in 2007 Worth More Than $5.5 Million

The International Festival of Racing, featuring the 25th running of the Arlington Million (gr. IT), tops a 2007 schedule that includes 27 stakes races worth $5,525,000 during 94 days of racing at Arlington Park May 4-Sept. 16.