The newest race to be added to Million day is the $400,000 American St. Leger Stakes, for older horses going 1 11/16 miles around three turns of the turf. Jakkalberry was sent off as the 8-5 favorite in the field of 9, winless since last August and coming to America off a fifth place finish in the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot. In to challenge him included 5-2 second choice Ioya Bigtime, winner of the Stars and Stripes (G3) last out, and 7-2 third choice Lake Drop, off his win in the Premio Carlo d'Alessio (G3).
Jockey Jeffrey Sanchez sent Ioya Bigtime to a clear lead immediately and he set slow fractions of 50.82, 1:15.43, 1:41.30, and 2:05.62 over the good turf while as many as 3 lengths in front of 14-1 Bridge of Gold and 11-2 fourth choice Zuider Zee. Entering the stretch, Jakkalberry, who sat fifth early 6 lengths off the pace, charged to the lead and drew off in the final furlong to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 2:49.01. It was a long 6 1/4 lengths from Ioya Bigtime to Zuider Zee third.
On to the Beverly D. and Secretariat Stakes won by I'm A Dreamer and Bayrir
