Dateline: 08/16/00
The Arlington Million is the crown jewel of the International Festival of Racing at Arlington International Racecourse. The top grass horses from the US and around the world come to compete in the $2 million race at 10 furlongs on the turf.
First run in 1981, it was the first time a seven-figure purse was ever awarded for a horse race. The race has yielded many champions in the past including the great John Henry, who won that inaugural race, and followed that with a second placing in 1983 and another win in 1984. In 1985, 25 days before the race, the old Arlington Park burned to the ground. However, tents were set up and Teleprompter shipped in to win wire-to-wire for Lord Derby in what was known as the Miracle Million. The following year, the mare Estrapade won for Allen Paulson and trainer Charlie Whittingham, the only female horse to take the Million. Other Eclipse Award champions to win the race are Manila, Steinlen, and Paradise Creek.
 Manndar is the likely post time favorite for the Arlington Million |
The race will be televised as part of a 90 minute broadcast on ESPN's "NTRA Racing to the Breeders' Cup" series on Saturday from 4:00-5:30pm Eastern time. The race will also be broadcast live online as part of the Emirates Racing Series. (Note: If the link on the Emirates/Sportal site doesn't work, try this). Tentative post time for the Million is 5:15pm Eastern time. Past performances are available free from Daily Racing Form and full analysis and ratings from Timeform here. Glenners has his selections for the card available now.
Conditions: Grade 1, purse $2,000,000, distance 1 1/4 miles on the turf. Each name links to a profile of that horse.
| Number | Horse | Weight | Jockey | Trainer | M/L Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asidero | 126 | Solis | McAnally | 5-1 |
| 2 | Chester House | 126 | Bailey | Frankel | 4-1 |
| 3 | Slickly | 126 | Dettori | bin Suroor | 7-2 |
| 4 | Manndar | 126 | Nakatani | Greely | 5-2 |
| 5 | Bienamado | 126 | Desormeaux | Gonzalez | 3-1 |
| 6 | Running Stag | 126 | Sellers | Mitchell | 12-1 |
| 7 | Mula Gula | 126 | Guidry | Hollendorfer | 12-1 |
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More Arlington Million articles and info:
- Arlington Park
- Arlington Million - official site with news releases, barn notes, etc. for all three races
- Arlington Million from Equibase - free program, past performances, ChartPlus, and articles
- Past performances and Thoro-Graph sheets from DRF
- Ratings and analysis from Timeform
- Glenners' Picks
- Current weather
- Scratches and changes
- Results Chart from Equibase (available late Saturday)
- News Index Search to find Arlington Million articles
- History of the Arlington Million
- Past Arlington Million winners
Graphic courtesy of Arlington International, photos by author
