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 8 older fillies and mares contested the 1 3/16 mile trip over the Arlington Park turf on Saturday, with Pure Clan sent off as the 3-2 favorite exiting a win in the Modesty Handicap, the major local prep for this event. In to challenge her included 4-1 second choice and top European hope Mad About You, third in the Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh last out, and 9-2 third choice Black Mamba, winner of the Beverly Hills Handicap at Hollywood Park in June.
Tizaqueena set an uncontested pace of 25.24, 50.67, and 1:15.65 while as any as 2 lengths in front of 8-1 Dynaforce and Alnadana who stalked her second and third respectively. Entering the stretch, Tizaqueena continued to lead through 1 mile in 1:39.77. Dynaforce was asked by jockey Kent Desormeaux and she quickly took the lead inside the 1/8 pole, drawing off to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Alnadana in 1:58.29 over the good turf. It was just a neck back to late-running Pure Clan third, nosing out pacesetter Tizaqueena in fourth.
On to the 2009 Arlington Million won by Gio Ponti.
