Set Piece did all his running, and all the running he needed to do, in the final furlongs of the 2023 Arlington Million Aug. 12 at Colonial Downs, rallying from last of 11 to score his first Grade 1 victory.
Tag: Racing
Two-Year-Old Spotlight Presented By Stonestreet Bred And Raised: Spotting Stars In The Sorrento
Summer means an increased focus on 2-year-olds, most notably at some of the country's most prominent meets.
Each week, we'll look at a race of interest to those looking for horse racing's next rising stars.
On this week's episode, Emily White takes a look at the Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar, which has attracted a field of eight quality young fillies.
Can Bob Baffert win his eighth Sorrento with Zedan Racing Stables' Dua? Or will another well-bred filly take the top prize?
Watch this week's 2-Year-Old Spotlight video below:
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Brown Takes Aim At Colonial Downs Festival With Runners In Arlington Million, Beverly D
Four-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Chad Brown took a few moments Friday afternoon to discuss two of his starters for Saturday's inaugural Colonial Downs Festival of Racing. Brown has starters in the Grade 1 Arlington Million and the Grade 1 $500,000 Beverly D., both of which are being run in Virginia for the first time.
Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Louis Lazzinnaro and Michael Caruso's Adhamo returns to action for the first time since finishing fifth in the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Aqueduct last October.
Brown admits the 10-furlong Arlington Million is a big lift for the 5-year-old son of Intelllo.
“It's a tough task to win a race going a mile and a quarter off a (10-month) layoff,” Brown said by phone from Saratoga, “but he's been training well and this looked to be the best spot for him.”
One race prior to the Million is its sister race, the 1-3/16 miles Grade 1 $500,000 Beverly D., a Breeders' Cup Challenge “Win and You're In” race for November's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Brown is no stranger to the Beverly D. having won the race six times when it was contested at its original home, Arlington Park.
Peter Brant's Gina Romantica will be making her second start off the layoff in the Beverly D. In her return to action, she finished 4th in the Grade 3 Eatontown at Monmouth Park on June 17.
“She didn't get the best set up last time,” Brown said of the 4-year-old Into Mischief filly. “She ran into a paceless race. She should like the surface at Colonial. It's a little more of bouncier, forgiving, lush turf course. She fits well in this spot.”
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Santin Looks For Second Arlington Million Score, This Time At Colonial
One year ago, Godolphin's Santin reported home a 1¾-length winner in the G1 Arlington Million at Churchill Downs. Fast forward 12 months and Santin is in search of a repeat win in the race now ensconced in its new home at Colonial Downs in Virginia.
In his two races prior to Saturday's Million, the son of Distorted Humor ran in a pair of dirt stakes races finishing fifth in the G3 Blame at Churchill in June and fourth in the $275,000 Hanshin Cup last out at Ellis Park.
“Hopefully he'll come back from being on the dirt to the turf. That angle might work for him,” Walsh said Friday. “I think he'll appreciate getting back to the turf. He's drawn a little wide (post 11) but I don't think that is going to be a huge deal. He normally goes forward and breaks good. He'll be up with the pace. Tyler's (jockey Gaffalione) back on him which is good. I'm pretty confident he's going to run very well.”
Because of the track configuration at Churchill, last year's Million was 1 1/8 miles. This year's renewal is back at the race's traditional 10-furlong trip, a distance at which Santin has made only one start, finishing off the board in the 2022 G1 Manhattan at Belmont.
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“It'll be interesting to see how he goes.” Walsh said. “Going that distance has been a little inconclusive. I think he'll be fine.”
Earlier in the day, the affable trainer will saddle Qatar Racing and Racehorse Club's Mise En Scene in the Grade 1 $500,000 Beverly D., the sister race to the Million. A Group 3 winner in her native England, the daughter of Siyouni comes in off a neck victory in a Saratoga allowance race on July 27.
“She ran really well in her last race at Saratoga,” Walsh said. “I think that's the way to ride her (off the pace). We rode her too forward the start before at Belmont. Hopefully it pans out ok for her tomorrow. Jamie Spencer rides her. He should suit her really well. She's the type of horse he seems to work well on. She's been doing really well since she ran at Saratoga. It's a little quick of a turnaround (16 days) but she doesn't give me any indication she won't handle it.”
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