New: Jambalaya wins Arlington Million
The ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Jambalaya found a seam down the stretch Saturday and used it to catch and pass defending champion The Tin Man and win the 25th Arlington Million.
The Tin Man, at age 9, was bidding to become the first back-to-back winner of the lucrative race, but was caught inside the 16th pole by the Canadian horse and beaten by three-quarters of a length in a rousing finish.
John Henry, who claimed the first Arlington Million in 1981, is still the only two-time winner, having also finished in the winner’s circle in 1984.
Previously nominated, Jambalaya’s victory entitles the 5-year-old gelding to an automatic entry in the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Trained by Catherine Day Phillips and ridden by Robby Albarado, Jambalaya started on the inside, stayed close in fourth position and then came on at the end of a slow-paced race. Jambalaya won the 1 1/4-mile turf race in 2:04.76 and paid $17.20, $6.60 and $3.80.
The Tin Man, taking second by a nose, returned $3.80 and $2.60. Doctor Dino paid $3.60.
The Arlington Million field was reduced to seven when early favorite After Market was scratched Saturday morning because of a concern over the firmness of the track.
“Unfortunately the weather in Chicago the previous week was so rainy, the turf course hasn’t completely dried out yet,” trainer John Shirreffs said, acting on the advice of owner Martin Wygod.
“The horse is doing great. He’s just fantastic but Mr. Wygod recommended that we don’t run him on soft ground,” Shirreffs said. “I’ve been out on the course everyday since I’ve been here. It’s drying out, but it’s not quite fast enough.”
After Market, with early odds of 2-1, had won three straight races, including the Grade I Eddie Read Handicap last month.
After Market pulled out several hours before the Million was to start. The temperature Saturday at Arlington Park was in the highs 80s, and the Arlington Million was the ninth race on the card. The condition of the track was listed as good.
In a day of pulsating finishes, Royal Highness from Germany overtook Irridescence of South Africa on the outside in the last several yards and won the $750,000 Beverly D. for fillies and mares by a head.
Royal Highness, at 9-1, had Rene Douglas aboard in just her third start of the season.
“Turning for home I knew I had a big chance,” Douglas said. “When I got to the other horse, she would not give up bit I had to finish really, really hard.”
Johnny Murtaugh, riding Irridescence, was unable to hold the lead long enough to beat Royal Highness to the wire.
“I thought I was going to win,” he said. “It was a good battle for the last half-furlong, but she just got me on the line.”
Not nominated earlier for the Breeder’s Cup, Royal Highness now has a guaranteed spot in the Filly & Mare Turf, subject to fees.
Royal Highness paid $20.40, $9.40 and $5.60. Irridescence paid $6.60 and $4.40 and show horse Lady of Venice $3.40.
In the first Grade I race of the day, Shamdinan got by Red Giant in the final 100 yards to win by half a length in the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes for 3-year-olds. Red Giant claimed the lead in the stretch before Shamdinan closed in and grabbed the victory in the 1 1/4-mile turf race. Shamdinan, at 9-2, paid $11.60, $6.00 and $4.80. Red Giant, going off at 5-2, returned $4.00 and $3.20 and Going Ballistic paid $4.60
A lightly raced French horse, Shamdinan will have a guaranteed slot in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
