The biggest day of racing in Illinois is Arlington Million Day. Celebrating its 27th running, the world's first million-dollar horse race, the $1 million Arlington Million (G1) featured a field of 8 older horses contest this 1 1/4 mile trip on the turf, with 3-2 favorite Gio Ponti coming to Arlington Park off 3 straight Grade 1 victories, the Frank Kilroe Mile, Manhattan Handicap and Man O'War Handicap. In to challenge him included 3-1 second choice Einstein, winner of the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic but third in the Stephen Foster last time out, and 5-1 third choice Presious Passion, winner of the Monmouth Stakes and the United Nations Stakes.
Presious Passion was loose on the lead as expected, getting fractions of 23.98, 48.44, and 1:14.23 while as many as 10 lengths in front, with Gloria de Campeao stalking in second. On the turn, both frontrunners tired, as Gio Ponti, who sat back in 6th early after stumbling at the start, came out 4 wide to take over the lead with 3 furlongs remainig. Gio Ponti opened up a 4 length advantage at the 1/4 pole through a mile in 1:39.58, and easily held off late-running Just As Well by 1 1/4 length at the line in 2:04.19 over the good turf. It was just a head back to Stotsfold third.
On to the Beverly D. and Secretariat Stakes won by Dynaforce and Take the Points
