Along with the Arlington Million, there are two other Grade 1 events on International Festival of Racing day at Arlington Park.
Immediately before the main event, the females took center stage in the $750,000 Beverly D Stakes. A field of 9 older fillies and mares contested this 1 3/16 mile trip over the Arlington Park turf on Saturday, with Ave sent off as the lukewarm 3-1 favorite off a close second place finish in the Dance Smartly Stakes (G2) at Woodbine after finishing third in both the Gallorette Handicap (G3) at Pimlico and the New York Stakes (G2) at Belmont. In to challenge her included 4-1 second choice Hot Cha Cha, winner of the Mint Julep Handicap (G3) at Churchill before finishing third in the Modesty Handicap (G3) at Arlington, and 6-1 third choice Eclair de Lune, off a second place finish in then Modesty.
Romacaca set easy fractions of 24.32, 48.81, and 1:13.67 while as many as 4 1/2 lengths in front of Eclair de Lune who stalked in second. Entering the stretch, Eclair de Lune closed the gap, taking over the lead from the tiring Romacaca at the 1/8 pole through 1 mile in 1:38.80. Hot Cha Cha, who sat third for the first mile, came out for room but was no match for Eclair de Lune, who cruised under the line 1 1/2 lengths in front in 1:56.56 over the good course. It was just a neck back to late-running Gypsy's Warning third, while favorite Ave disappointed in 8th.
On to the 2010 Arlington Million won by Debussy.
