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, 11 fillies and mares for the $750,000 Beverly D., and a dozen 3-year-olds for the $400,000 Secretariat.
Post positions for all three International Festival turf races will be drawn Tuesday, Aug. 9. The races will be held Saturday, Aug. 13 at Arlington Park.
European invaders for Arlington Million are possible favorite Cape Blanco, Irish-bred Wigmore Hall, and French-bred Zack Hall.
North American-based Million pre-entries are led by Gio Ponti , winner of the 2009 Arlington Million and now in the position to become the second horse in history–along with the legendary John Henry–to win the event twice.
The other North American-based Million pre-entries are Dean's Kitten, General Perfect, Mission Approved, Proceed Bee, Rahystrada, and Tajaaweed.
South African-bred 8-year-old mare River Jetez, trained by Mike de Kock, could inherit the role of Beverly D. favorite based on her form all over the globe since the beginning of the year.
Willcox Inn, who won the prestigious Arlington Classic May 28 and the American Derby (gr. IIT) July 9, is now in the position to become the fourth horse in history to sweep Arlington’s Mid-America Triple and heads a dozen sophomores in the Secretariat.