(From Arlington Park press release)
Gary Tanaka’s Sudan, projected as the probable pace setter in the Arlington Million (gr. IT), was withdrawn from the race Aug. 8.
“He was fine when he galloped yesterday,” trainer Bobby Frankel said. “But when we scanned him this morning, we discovered that the horse had bowed a tendon.”
Sudan, an Irish-bred son of Peintre Celebre, finished fourth in Belmont’s Man o’ War Stakes (gr. IT) in his last start July 12, and captured the Golden Gate Fields Turf (gr. IIIT) May 31.
The 5-year-old chestnut was in a position to give Tanaka his first win in the Arlington Million Aug. 9. Frankel has won the Million twice, one less than fellow Hall of Famers Charlie Whittingham and Ron McAnally, who hold the record for total victories.
In other news, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor, and Mrs. John Magnier’s Mount Nelson, the first winner of the Coral Eclipse Stakes (Eng-I) to challenge in the Arlington Million, got his first exercise over the local grounds Aug. 8.
Minutes after Mount Nelson appeared on the track, Plan, winner of Ireland’s International Stakes (gr. IIIT) July 12, also stepped on the Polytrack and galloped in advance of the Aug. 9 Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT).
Both Mount Nelson and Plan are conditioned by Ireland trainer Aidan O’Brien, who has already posted 17 group I wins in Europe this season. IEAH purchased a controlling interest in Plan ealier this week.
Mount Nelson, who also scored a victory in France’s Criterium International (Fr-I) at Saint Cloud two years ago, had exercise rider Pat Lillis aboard, while Plan had exercise rider Stephen Hunter in the irons.
Others on the track for pre-Million jogs Aug. 8 included Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum and Dr. A. H. Parker’s Arlington Million favorite Archipenko; Midnight Cry Stable’s Einstein (with trainer Helen Pitts astride); and S J Stables’ Cloudy’s Knight.
The Rothschild Family’s Cicerole, and the Marquesa de Moratalla’s Toque de Queda, the two French-based European invaders for the Beverly D. Stakes (gr. IT), both galloped over Arlington’s Polytrack course Aug. 8.
Cicerole, considered the stronger of the pair, has finished first or second in her last six races in a row and was most recently runner up by a half-length in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Eng-III) June 7.
Others on the track in advance of the Beverly D. included Frank Calabrese’s Dreaming of Anna (with trainer Wayne Catalano aboard); Robert Scarborough’s Mauralakana; Runnymede Farm’s Meribel (with trainer Helen Pitts up); and The Lavington Stud’s Rosinka.