Bruce D. Stakes 2021 Entries: Point Me By and Saez as favorites
Race 8: 1 Mile (Turf), Bruce D. Stakes (G1), Purse $300k, 3 (Saturday)
The 44th running of what was formerly known as the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes has now reached its final time around the Arlington International Race Course … It is “Closing Day” for this race on Saturday, as the Chicago landmark is due to be sold by Churchill Downs Inc. sometime after it completes its Meet in late September. Over the years, what was known as “Million Day” enthralled the crowds, and brought some of the very best Thoroughbreds to “The Windy City.” Designed for budding 3-yr-olds, the race used to be run at 1¼ before it was summarily cutback to 1 Mile in 2019. Apparently, everything is scaling back at Arlington … Trainer Chad Brown ran the table las time when his colt, Valid Point, won nicely. The days of international runners shipping into Arlington, and the world of Thoroughbred racing coming to the doorstep of Arlington, one of the greatest stages in North America, will be lost. Just a few more Grade 1s left ... to add to this track’s storied past ...
Now, let’s find out about this field…
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#1 Therideofalifetime (Jky: J. Graham/Trn: I. Correas):
A colt out of accomplished sire, Candy Ride (ARG), Ignacio Correas is trying this one on the grass for the 1st time. It was last year when his runner was in “Graded” Co., so expectations should be measured when it comes to thinking this one can ride into a G1 and scoop up the win. Certainly, his race 2-back at Churchill Downs in that OC75k on the dirt was promising, but this seems like a bit of a reach. Veteran jockey James Graham is coming to Arlington once again to ride, and he has produced a nice 2021. Maybe he can flip the script, use this one’s class, and make some key decisions enroute to a win.
Grade: B-
#2 Tango Tango Tango (Jky: D. Cannon/Trn: J. Sisterson):
The Calumet Farm-owned colt out of solid turf sire Tourist is one to watch in here because he won the American Derby 100k in fine style last month at Arlington. In 4 career races, that was easily his best try, and now Jack Sisterson is hoping he can go higher. This race might not be a true Grade 1 to some, but notching a victory here will still not be easy. Jockey Declan Cannon is going to have to take advantage of that nice rating ability that his mount exhibited last time. If he can do that effectively, then he might have a chance to tactically cross the wire first. How much heat will be bearing down in the end is the question … Sisterson has unheralded conditioning skills, but I would never count him out. Accepting 2/1 though on the tote does not look that enticing.
Grade: B+
#3 Mr. Universe (Jky: S. Doyle/Trn: G. Dorochenko):
The Dorochenko Barn has an uncoupled entry here in the “Bruce D.,” and this one is sure to be a long shot. The son of Tonalist already has extensive experience this season running at the palatial Chicago landmark. Most of those were in vain because the colt was never able to respond when the time came. It is hard to imagine that Sophie Doyle’s presence this time around in a Grade 1 is going to make much of a difference. She can ride some turf horses mind you, but I am not sure that this one has what it takes to get the job done. Dorochenko only has one “G” attempt this season. Nuff said …
Grade: C
#4 Ginsburned (Jky: J. Leparoux/Trn: R. Arnold):
Rusty Arnold and Ashbrook Farm bring you a nice-looking gelding out of Noble Mission who is looking to jump from a MSW51k at Ellis Park into this Grade 1 at Arlington. It can be done, especially with veteran rider Julien Leparoux in the irons. He is crafty, and with his experience, he can lead this one to victory. It is not a foregone conclusion though, but there are signs in here that speak to ability. The bloodlines I mentioned are tight, and maybe he wants to go even longer than 1 Mile. This is one to consider using from a barn that can both prepare and ship well enough. Arnold went to Royal Ascot for the 1st time back in June … now he comes to Arlington. Maybe a sleeper pick, and one to include for you exotic wagers …
Grade: B
#5 New Year Surprise (Jky: V. Severino/Trn: G. Dorochenko):
Jockey Victor Severino has won an astounding 33% of his turf races he has tried this season … but he has only ridden in 6 … In fact, his experience in 2021 has him at only 15 total tries … One of those came on this mount back in late July, but it was an oddly calibrated race. He lost the lead at the top of the stretch, only to re-rally for 2nd in the end. What is most interesting about this runner is the colt is out of Eleganty Wild on the dam side, which means she has some Galileo in her background. That might be one of her only assets, since I failed to mention that her last race (the one in late July) was off-the-turf. Probably too much to do for this Dorochenko runner too …
Grade: C
#6 Point Me By (Jky: L. Saez/Trn: E. Kenneally):
One of my top picks coming into this Grade 1 is another class climber who is going to have to improve off his last effort. That might not be too difficult considering the company, and the fact this Eddie Kenneally runner is coming from Saratoga. That is a very difficult pond to run in, and even though he finished 4th in an ALLW103 event there back in mid-July, that was a game effort late. Out of Point of Entry, this surface is perfect for him, and getting leading SPA rider Luis Saez to guide him is even better news. Kenneally probably has the most “Graded” experience out of any conditioner in this contest, and he can rely on that to win the day. Top pick …
Grade: A-
#7 Shadizaar (Jky: S. Uske/Trn: P. Gulyas):
The 3-yr-old colt out of Animal Kingdom is coming off a “Non-G” 150k race at Canterbury Park on the grass where he was 72/1. Rightly so … He did not show much that day for trainer Peter Gulyas, back in June, and one has to wonder if he has what it takes to come into Arlington. I cannot imagine that this is going to go all that well, considering this major class leap. Shannon Uske is a jockey who is looking for a big score, and maybe this is the moment … then again, maybe not.
Grade: C
#8 King of Miami (Jky: J. Loveberry/Trn: L. Rivelli):
The “King of Arlington,” leading trainer Larry Rivelli, is going to miss his home track when it closes this September. He has amassed an impressive record there, and still, after years of success, he is still looking for that elusive Grade 1 score. He has had some nice runners over the years, and won Grade IIIs, but nothing would be greater than notching one here on “Million Day.” He has the team to do it in this race, and a gelding out of American Pharoah that has a legitimate chance. This turfer is going to have to run much better than he did in the American Derby100k though … that prep for him was terrible, and he went backwards instead of rating nicely. Getting Jareth Loveberry, Arlington’s leading jock, is a solid choice, of course. But he is up against some sterner competition in here. Not sure exactly if Rivelli will enjoy that Grade 1 win … more to do.
Grade: B-
#9 Like a Saltshaker (Jky: E.T. Baird/Trn: L. Rivelli):
The “other” Rivelli entry is actually less experienced on grass than his #8, but more of an intriguing play. In my estimation, with such a weak field class-wise, maybe this is a true “wise guy” pick? Certainly, it is going to take a major effort, but E.T. Baird is a local Arlington rider with a major skill set. He and this conditioner work well together, and might be able to scoop them all with a nice win. I am not sure that will happen, but there were flashes of ability in his last 2 races. Lest we forget, this 3-yr-old has War Front in his background, and that could be useful taking to the sod. Interesting …
Grade: B
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It’s Million Day … from storied Arlington! One last time, enjoy what the Chicago landmark has to offer!