Study Guide: 2024 Arlington Million

Aug 07, 2024 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Long contested at Arlington Park in Illinois, the historic $1 million Arlington Million (G1) will enjoy its second running at Colonial Downs in Virginia this Sunday.

A small but talented six-horse field has turned out for the 1 1/4-mile grass contest. Let's meet the field:

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Integration

Start(s): 7
Wins: 4
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds, Woodford Racing, Pine Racing Stables, William T. Freeman, Michael Valdes, and John A. Ballantyne
Breeder: Larkin Armstrong
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche

Top Speed Rating: (101) when finishing fifth in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $681,800

Sire: Quality Road
Dam: Harmonize
Color: Bay

Integration dominated the local prep for the Arlington Million, taking the 1 1/8-mile Million Preview S. at Colonial Downs by 6 1/2 lengths. He's 3-for-3 over this course, but has been defeated in each of his three previous Grade 1 starts, so bettors must weigh whether Integration's affinity for Colonial can help him secure a breakthrough top-level win in the Arlington Million.

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Ancient Rome

Start(s): 19
Wins: 6
Place: 4
Show: 2

Owner: Mrs. Fitriani Hay
Breeder: Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt
Trainer: Charlie Hills
Jockey: Jamie Spencer

Top Speed Rating: (92) when winning the Mint Millions (G3) at Kentucky Downs.
Total Earnings: $1,582,060

Sire: War Front
Dam: Gagnoa
Color: Dark bay/brown

European raider Ancient Rome has already made one successful foray to the United States, posting a half-length victory in the one-mile Mint Millions (G3) at Kentucky Downs last September. He remains in good form, exiting a runner-up effort in the Summer Mile (G2) at Ascot in England. A winner of a handicap over 1 1/4 miles last August, Ancient Rome looms as a good fit for the Arlington Million and should have every chance for a top-three finish.

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Sugoi

Start(s): 28
Wins: 10
Place: 7
Show: 2

Owner: Paradise Farms and David Staudacher
Breeder: Normandy Farm
Trainer: Mike Maker
Jockey: Julien Leparoux

Top Speed Rating: (101) when winning the Louisville (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Total Earnings: $607,993

Sire: Karakontie
Dam: Timeless Spirit
Color: Bay

Sugoi has been riding a hot streak. He won four straight races to kick off 2024, including the 1 1/2-mile Louisville (G3) over the Churchill Downs grass, then finished second by half a length in the 1 3/8-mile Chorleywood S. But cutting back in distance and stepping up in class are a couple of meaningful obstacles for Sugoi to overcome in the Arlington Million.

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Nations Pride

Start(s): 17
Wins: 9
Place: 3
Show: 2

Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick

Top Speed Rating: (108) when winning the Canadian International (G1) at Woodbine.
Total Earnings: $2,832,067

Sire: Teofilo
Dam: Important Time
Color: Bay

The horse to beat in the Arlington Million is arguably Nations Pride, who has won multiple times at the Grade/Group 1 level. He exits a rallying runner-up finish in a deep edition of the 1 3/16-mile Manhattan (G1) at Saratoga and has won six times over 1 1/4 miles, including in the Canadian International (G1) last fall. The Arlington Million field looks a bit easier than the Manhattan, so Nations Pride has an excellent opportunity to visit the winner's circle for hot trainer Charlie Appleby, who has won with 34% of his North American starters this year.

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Highland Chief

Start(s): 19
Wins: 4
Place: 3
Show: 2

Owner: Mrs. Fitriani Hay
Breeder: Mrs. Fitri Hay
Trainer: Graham Motion
Jockey: John Velazquez

Top Speed Rating: (99) when winning the Sycamore (G3) at Keeneland.
Total Earnings: $765,229

Sire: Gleneagles
Dam: Pink Symphony
Color: Bay

Back in 2022, Highland Chief ranked among the best grass runners in North America, winning the Man o' War (G1) and Sycamore (G3). But he missed 2023 and is 0-for-3 in 2024, with his best finish being a second in the ungraded Prince George's County S. at Laurel Park. Highland Chief will need to recapture his best form from two years ago if he's going to factor in the Arlington Million.

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Talk of the Nation

Start(s): 11
Wins: 4
Place: 5
Show: 1

Owner: Allen Stable and CHC
Breeder: CHC
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Top Speed Rating: (97) when finishing second in the Manila (G3) at Belmont Park.
Total Earnings: $980,610

Sire: Quality Road
Dam: She's Not Here
Color: Dark bay/brown

Talk of the Nation hasn't finished out of the top three in nine starts on turf, including a quartet of Grade 3 stakes. He exits a close runner-up finish in the Kelso (G3) at Saratoga and can't be counted out of the mix for a top-three finish. It's worth noting Talk of the Nation has spent his last eight starts racing one mile, and stretching out over 1 1/4 miles is a question mark for this speedy pace player.