Arlington Park 12th August Million + other Grade 1 Races -PRE- ENTRIES

Arlington Million international scouting report: Deauville
By: Kellie Reilly on August 7, 2017

Aidan O’Brien’s Deauville returns to the scene of his near-miss third in last year’s Arlington Million (G1). Considering that he was trying to emulate Tolomeo (1983) as the only three-year-olds to beat elders in the storied turf prize, the Galileo colt is eligible to improve in this encore performance.

Deauville was already well known to fans on this side of the Atlantic, thanks to his victory in the Belmont Derby Invitational (G1) in his start prior to Arlington. We’ll leave the details of his early career to the 2016 Million scouting report, so please consult the link if you want deep background.

The four-year-old model of Deauville is at least as good, if not arguably a bit better, in keeping with his pedigree. Full brother The Corsican was a progressive three-year-old who reached the next level as an older horse. Their dam, Walklikeanegyptian, placed in Arlington’s Pucker Up (G3) at three, but her half-sister Callwood Dancer was Canada’s champion turf female at four.

Deauville’s reappearing seventh in the March 25 Dubai Turf (G1) can’t be taken literally, in light of the yielding ground and the fact that O’Brien generally doesn’t have his older horses 100 percent cranked for World Cup night. That’s particularly true for Deauville, who hadn’t raced since the Million. His desert junket can be viewed as a more pleasant way to build toward a European return than just a day away for a racecourse gallop at the Curragh.

His season effectively started with the April 28 Gordon Richards (G3) at Sandown, a front-running effort over the stiff 1 1/4 miles that repelled everyone except Sir Michael Stoute’s Ulysses. As fine a performance as that was from Deauville, it may have been even better since Ulysses’ rider, Andrea Atzeni, described the ground as more “good to soft” than the official “good.”


The result took on added significance with Ulysses’ ensuing starts. Third to Highland Reel in the Prince of Wales’s (G1), Ulysses edged Barney Roy in an epic Eclipse (G1), and recently played second fiddle to Arc favorite Enable in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1). The Gordon Richards third, My Dream Boat, can’t boast those credentials, and his upstaging Found in the 2016 Prince of Wales’s remains one of the mysteries of the universe. Nevertheless, My Dream Boat is a regular presence in these major events, and he was actually favored as the defending champion here. In other words, even he contributes to the form’s solid look.

Deauville’s early speed – and quick start – served him well again in the Huxley (G3) around the tight left-handed circuit of Chester. Winding up the tempo on the far turn, he opened up a decisive advantage and held Stoute’s well-regarded Poet’s Word.


Here again the form has held up. Poet’s Word just came back to stamp his class in last Friday’s Glorious (G3) at Goodwood, and the Canadian International (G1) is a possible target.

Deauville’s chances in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) went downhill with the Curragh weather, so his third to Decorated Knight and ill-fated Somehow was about as well as he could have done in adverse circumstances. You can see how he just can’t pick up in the yielding going:


Decorated Knight (whom you may remember as a Million XXXIV contender scratched on raceday) was subsequently runner-up to Highland Reel in the Prince of Wales’s at Royal Ascot, beating Ulysses (as well as current Million hopes Scottish and Mekhtaal).

Deauville also ventured to Royal Ascot, but to shorten up to a mile for the first time since his juvenile days for the Queen Anne (G1). This was a particularly hot renewal to attempt that gambit. Although he didn’t have the turbo finish at this trip, he was a gamely staying-on third to top older miler Ribchester and Mutakayyef in course-record time.



Up to nine furlongs for his Million prep in the Meld (G3) at Leopardstown, Deauville caught a rain-affected track. He bravely tried to wire them, only to be worn down after a protracted slog with Moonlight Magic.


Moonlight Magic, a Godolphin blueblood, has long been fancied by trainer Jim Bolger. His past performances have been mostly uninspiring for the past year, but perhaps the close relative of Sea the Stars really is on the verge of fulfilling hopes. If so, Deauville’s Meld loss may take on a rosier hue in time.

With his tactical speed, strong level of form, and arguable preference for left-handed courses, Deauville is eligible to capture the Million trophy that narrowly eluded him at three. His nemesis, however, could be the Chicago weather. He’ll take heart in the fact that the forecast looks favorable (as of Monday afternoon), and hope it verifies so he will find his preferred firm ground.

There is a one that interests me at Arlington this weekend and that is a German mare called Sarandia who is running in the BEVERLY D. (GI). She is trained by winning Arc trainer Peter Schiergen and  is currently priced at 12/1 with most of them and as low as 8/1 with billy mills.

However , maybe the Americans know something the uk books dont as she seems to be going under the radar over there in the US ....as they have priced her up at 30/1 on what they call a "morning line price".

Clearly the form of Aidan O'Brien's Rain Goddess is a standout - but there are a few things that are interesting me with the German runner

Her recent performances:  I have been visually impressed with her last 2 runs where she has won as she would be expected to in a couple of listed races at Baden Baden and Hanover. I know they weren't in group races but im certain that she is solid group 2 animal in all European races

Tactics and running Style:  She seem to like it out in front making the pace or sitting very close to it - with the right tactics and race they could easily have an opportunity to win a Grade 1 with her in the US.

Slight drop in Trip: It could turn out to be a pretty shrewd step to drop her slightly in trip giving her running style.  Her run last year in the German Oaks would justify the connections and trainer taking the view that if she breaks well , and utilises her front running style,  then it could be a bit of a job to get past her as the winner of the oaks found out last year.

She was only headed 100 yards out  but keeping up to her work and looking very genuine - she has a very quick travelling speed together with a turn of foot. Hugo Palmer's 4yo Architecture came 3rd last year in that Oaks and then came out in her next very next run with a good 2nd in the Group 1 Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh to O'Brien's Seventh Heaven so her ability  is being underestimated imo


To conclude my view, i believe this race could be her best ever chance of winning a GRADE 1 - I also think its a bit of a pointer that Peter Schiergen and connections have even shipped one out there - they do not make habits of shippings runners internationally.

Everyone underestimated Schiergen's Danedream in the 2011 Arc, i think that was because they didn't rate the mares races that she had won in the lead up to the race - but i took a different view simply based on the visual performances i had seen -  and i was confident that she would win the Arc easily  pretty easily that year almost a month before the race before before she was even supplemented to get in - i get the same feeling here with Sarandia.

Im hoping that she gets to the front and blazes a trail - hopefully thats what will happen and it will be enough to get her in the money.

yeah - i too have no opinion on the Secretariat - i also have passed on the Million

all live on Attheraces - betfair are not even offering odds on any Arlington races - exchange or sportsbook

Just realised no where to lay them, opportunities missed or blessing in disguise? Hope not the former or I'll be very cross.