the death of a million dollar idea
The 33rd running of the Arlington Million was supposed to feature CALIFORNIA CHROME and give a struggling track stuck in a state that can't out of its own way a turn in the national spotlight.
Instead, the 2014 Kentucky Derby winner was injured and won't run, and the rest of the field can be charitably described as Grade 2 U.S. horses and Europe's junior varsity team. (Yes, I know SLUMBER and BIG BLUE KITTEN have each won Grade 1 races in the past month, but they took turns beating each other -- neither are that great.)
At the end of the day, it might be the fitting conclusion to a once-great annual race. What was initially an incredible idea for an incredible sum of money has become just like everything else Churchill Downs Inc., touches: subpar and disappointing.
It's a true shame, too, because Arlington Park is an absolutely gorgeous facility to this day. It's not quite Keeneland, but it's not that far off, either. But between mismanagement from CDI and no support from the state it sits in, Arlington Park would frankly be foolish to continue running this race given the short fields and smallish purses it offers the rest of the year.
With all that said, I'll make a quick pick for the race: TRIPLE THREAT won last-out in his first start stateside despite getting no pace to run into. With SHINING COPPER and LEGENDARY signed on here, I like him to get a better setup and pull the minor upset.
RIP, Arlington Million.
Instead, the 2014 Kentucky Derby winner was injured and won't run, and the rest of the field can be charitably described as Grade 2 U.S. horses and Europe's junior varsity team. (Yes, I know SLUMBER and BIG BLUE KITTEN have each won Grade 1 races in the past month, but they took turns beating each other -- neither are that great.)
At the end of the day, it might be the fitting conclusion to a once-great annual race. What was initially an incredible idea for an incredible sum of money has become just like everything else Churchill Downs Inc., touches: subpar and disappointing.
It's a true shame, too, because Arlington Park is an absolutely gorgeous facility to this day. It's not quite Keeneland, but it's not that far off, either. But between mismanagement from CDI and no support from the state it sits in, Arlington Park would frankly be foolish to continue running this race given the short fields and smallish purses it offers the rest of the year.
With all that said, I'll make a quick pick for the race: TRIPLE THREAT won last-out in his first start stateside despite getting no pace to run into. With SHINING COPPER and LEGENDARY signed on here, I like him to get a better setup and pull the minor upset.
RIP, Arlington Million.