Back with a Late Summer Blog

Yes, I'm back. But with no pictures of beauty queens. Sadly.

How long has it been since I wrote? A few days? Weeks? How long?!!!!!

I did say right off the bat that I wasn't much of a blogger (I prefer to concentrate on one job - race calling). Although I thank all the fans that have written to our website or even approached me this season to chat about racing or to ask me what it was like to meet Miss Illinois (see my last blog). Amazing how many "hits" that blog took (and that was just from Lauren Massarella's TV Department office).

The International Festival of Racing.

I thought we couldn't have had better weather for Million week. I usually hold my breath to hope it's nice on Friday morning since we hold our Breakfast at Arlington the day before the Million. It looked like a good crowd turned out for the show (or maybe they all came to hear Steve Dahl on Jack FM).  I met Steve a few years ago and did his show on the Arlington suite level during a live broadcast. It was pretty cool.

At this Breakfast at AP, we featured Kevin Shea, who rode Archipenko in the Million. I thought Kevin did a great job answering questions from Liane Davis and me, fans and one special guest who was just sitting on a bench. Those questions turned out to be from Jerry Bailey, who was in town for the ESPN telecast. Always greats to have Jerry (a fan favorite) at Arlington. Only sorry I didn't have a chance to say hi to an old friend from my Lone Star Park days, former Fort Worth Star Telegram racing scribe, Seinfeld fan and now ESPN analyst Randy Moss. I spotted Randy briefly while I was speaking at the Breakfast and Randy disappeared into the myriad of fans holding plastic plates filled to the brims with eggs, bacon and sausage links (adding I didn't get to enjoy any since the food department had closed up camp as if the French Army was about to raid).

And that France did. In the 26th Arlington Million!

With the eyes of the World focused on Chicago for one moment in time, the field for the Million was headed by the globe trotter Archipenko, who had posted victories this season in Dubai and Hong Kong and England at Royal Ascot. Trained by South African Michael de Kock, Archipenko stayed right at the heels of the pace set by French raider Spirit One, who landed in front immediately after the start. Under Ioritz Mendizbal, Spirit One, making his first start outside of France, dictated the pace for every yard with Mount Nelson (Johnny Murtagh) and Archipenko both close. The well backed Einstein (Robby Albarado was seeking back to back Millions) stumbled at the start and seemed to be taken out of his game from that moment on. So it was left to the European three to settle the issue.

In the final furlong, Spirit One kept on, while Archipenko was boxed in and only switched out deep in the final furlong to charge and fall just short of Million glory.

Like other pundits, it's hard not to think Archipenko wasn't best in the Million. And who can blame Johnny Murtagh on Mount Nelson for aggressive race riding to keep a rival in a tight spot? Well, Mike de Kock, but he trained "Archie" so obviously a bias there. Still we hope to see good runs in the future from all of this year's Million horses.

As for the other Grade One's from Saturday. I thought the Beverly D. produced the best result of the them all with the powerful three, Mauralakana, Precious Kitten and Dreaming of Anna turning them home in the race before the Million. Shown live on ESPN, Mauralakana showed her brilliant ability to quicken on cue and pulled away to give trainer Christophe Clement his third career victory (and back to back wins) in the Beverly D. For jockey Kent Desormeaux, it marked another great ride over the past two weekends that also included victory aboard Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

In the Secretariat Stakes, Tizdejavu set the pace as expected in the first of the three Grade I's. But lurking in the shadows was Winchester, a European based three year old from the Dermot Weld stable. As the field straightened for home, Winchester swooped in front and pulled away with aplomb leaving many of us to speculate (and hope) he will return next season for a try and the Secretariat/Million Double. The victory also will serve as a highlight in a dominant season for five time Arlington champion Rene Douglas, who, as of this blog, is nearing yet another 100 win season at this race course. Amazing season for a jockey I once saw in person ride in Panama in 1995 in the Gran Classico Presidente de al Republica.

So what's next for the final few weeks of the Arlington season?  Can Inez Karlsson catch Brandon Meier for top apprentice at the meet?  In my nine years here, I don't recall such a talented two apprentices. Only Zoe Cadman comes to mind (and congrats Zoe on your recent marathon run). It will be interesting to see where both go during the winter months. Might Brandon take a Joe Talamo Eclipse award route to the West Coast?  Florida?  I know Inez has a lot of buisness for Frank Kirby in Chicago, but will bigger riches pull her away from Stickney? Stay tuned.  And congratulations to Chicago's dynamic duo owner Frank Calabrese and trainer Wayne Catalano for a truly remarkable season.

As for me, with an earlier November 14 opening for Fair Grounds, it will give me extra time to enjoy the city of New Orleans. I can see those dozen char grilled oysters now from Drago's in Metairie, Louisiana. And Venezia's pizza too. Until next time, "Laissez les bon temps roulet." That's "Let the good times roll" Lauren.

And that's all folks!