2010 Arlington Million

[GBeret83]

Off that recent win in the G1 Singapore Airlines International Cup, I'd almost be willing to bet that we're likely to see Gitano Hernando at Arlington for the 2011 Million. Mike De Kock's brilliant race-mare, River Jetez, ran 2nd to Presvis in the G1 Dubai Duty Free, and 2nd to Gitano Hernando in Singapore, is being talked up for the Beverly D. But as well as she's run against the boys in Dubai, Hong Kong, and Singapore, wouldn't surprise me to see De Kock have her in the Million, also? JMO.

[GBeret83]

Really savvy ride by William Buick to save the ground on Debussy at the rail, and for realizing he had enough horse left under him to make a big run. He's proven to be a really great choice for John Gosden as his new stable jockey. Debussy also shown solid form in the G1 Champion Stakes at Newmarket. Finishing 3rd behind Twice Over and Vision D'Etat. All that said, and as good as Debussy's form has been in 2010. I'm not sure he won this race as much as Gio Ponti gave it away. JMO.

[GBeret83]

With the exception of the turf races during the Breeders Cup. The Arlington Million and under-card stakes races, i.e., the Beverly D. Stakes and Secretariat Stakes, seem to draw more European contingent than any other American turf stakes races all season long. I think it's a combination of the attractive purses, coupled with many of the Euro trainers believing that American turf horses in G1 event's are an easy mark. TJMO.

[felled]

DON'T FUCK WITH JOHN GOSDEN !!!!!!

[GBeret83]

Ramon Dominguez really fell asleep at the wheel in this race. When Gio Ponti flew into the lead. Dominguez totally relaxed on him. Thinking Gio Ponti was home free. Dominguez, IMO, never realized that Debussy and William Buick were still full of run, and I don't believe he ever saw them sneaking through on the rail until it was too late. Well done by young Buick. Poor judgement by Dominguez. JMO.

[mattyb5678]

id be surprised if anything takes goldi or possibly makfi, but ive been warned to watch out for sindney so i;ll reserve judgement a little longer

[BigPhil1982]

Everyone who reads form knows this wasn't a shock. Debussy had won at Chester well and that's a round track like most American tracks are including this one. The 14/1 on offer here was snapped up (by me anyway).

[GBeret83]

@BigPhil1982, I saw Debussy's win in the G3 Huxley Stakes back in May at Chester. He looked good that day, but really wasn't facing much. Also saw him finish 4th at York in July in the G2 York Stakes. Beaten by Summit Surge, Bushman, and Allybar. Allybar should've really been Debussy's only threat in that race. And Allybar's synthetic form is much better than his turf form. Debussy ran a great race at Arlington. A ground saving trip. But Dominguez fell asleep at the wheel on Gio Ponti. IMO.

[BigPhil1982]

@GBeret83 Gio Ponti would've won had he been pushed out completely, you're right.

Debussy is a completely different animal on round courses compared to courses like York etc so he will always be better on American tracks. He's going to the Breeders Cup meeting but if he goes against Gio Ponti again it's highly unlike he'll beat him gain but I'm sure he'll do well.

[mattyb5678]

she should retire unbeaten, shes a wonderous horse, but no zakarva or sea the stars, if genetics really do make a horse / go a long way to making a horse, their little 1 will be ultimate ! - you really think zenyatta could overhaul sea the stars ? - the finish rock of gibraltar put in would have nailed a zenyatta finish and sea the stars is better than the rock - S/T/S wasnt worth risking in the B/C - seeing george washington lying face down in slop while a vet kills him is a lesson to remember

[BigPhil1982]

@mattyb5678 Aweful

That wasn't so much a problem last year but racing should not be allowed on that wet sh*t or we shouldn't send the horses over.

Their horses are bred for it, our horses are bred for turf. They don't send their dirt horses to race on turf here for that reason.

[GBeret83]

I follow European racing on a daily bases right along with American racing. Tazeez has had 3rd place finishes in both the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot, and Princess of Wales Stakes at Newmarket in 2010. Debussy won the G3 Huxley Stakes at Chester, but beyond that. He has only one G2 win in his career. He won the 2009 G2 Prix Eugene Adam in France. Debussy and Tazeez are both considered G3 horses in Europe. Needless to say. Gio Ponti is struggling a bit in 2010 compared to 2009.

[cindyandyogi]

announcer may have said it all

[a shocker }anyone else thinking electrical device besides him and me

[kertjk]

see todosstat about rating euros with n.americans

[cmcgarth1O]

Why do you think we send out horses who are not quite up to it, like these 3 and Sotsfold last year, because you can pick up amazing money with average horses.

[cmcgarth1O]

Tazeez and Summit Surge are nobodies in Europe as is Debussy, not even in the top 50 horses......Embarrassing

[mattyb5678]

watch out in kentucky, the europeans are coming - goldikova, rip van winkle, midday just a shame the mighty harbinger wont be there

[mattyb5678]

buick, you were awesome, what a 16 hours !

[gunloc26]

that jockey on the winner stole that race...Gio's jockey should have his ass kicked for that loss! 

[IBigBucks]

@ tbhorselover debussy is not a good horse he only just won a group 3 in england and your saying this gio ponti is an amazing like to to see him against our best.

[cmcgarth1O]

PWNED by the 3rd string of the 3rd string

[cmcgarth1O]

I really cant think of a more embarrasing thing lol Gio Ponti is a good horse in his own right but hes no champion, lets be honest. Hes the best of a terrible bunch of turf horses and he isnt even unbeatble amongst them. As I say, hed be no where near the best 10 Turf horses in the world, wether you want to accept it or not. You better hope yous win the Dirt races at BC cause thats all you got

[tbhorselover]

@cmcgarth1O you must be a BRIT! Gio Ponti is a amazing horse grass or dirt! Your an idiot!

[PedroBolton]

Borail Buick! Great ride.

[tjjlm444]

that is about as strong as a final 200 yards as you will see in a race. it wasnt like gio ponti was letting up he was pulling away from the other horses. i dont know if debussy is that good or if that was a once if a lifetime race regardless an amazing performance and also amazing ride by the jock.

[cmcgarth1O]

@tjjlm444 Debussy is not that godd, its just that American turf Divison is so weak, your Group 1 races would be group 2 level in Europe, IE Gio Ponti would be a Group 2 horses in Europe, he could never win a Group 1 over here, no chance. He cant even beat Debussy on his home patch so forget about him winning a real Group 1

[valmicha2]

@cmcgarth1O

It's not like he just beat Summit Surge & Tazeez or when you look at any of his other races, like beating Twice Over, Gloria De Campeo, Chinchon, Quijano... It's not like they won a grade 1 in Europe or anything, right?

[cmcgarth1O]

@valmicha2 Quijano might have won one in France but not a top one, hes more an international horse and hes long passed his best. Twice Over the weakest Group 1 run this season, The Eclipse was a terrible renewal. The others you mentioned havent no.....

Bottom line, a Group 3 Euro horse just ran away from your "champion"

[valmicha2]

@cmcgarth1O

Twice Over has just finished top 2 in three very prestigious grade 1's this year and Tazeez was just grade 1 placed... Debussy also didn't have to go 8 wide or strike the lead so early...

Gloria De Campeo did win the World Cup, perhaps 10 million isn't enough for you..

[cmcgarth1O]

@valmicha2 Yeah, but they were extremely weak races, the fact that Tazeez ran 3rd in one tells you everything. You dont know our racing m8, im not making stuff up, ask anyone and they will tell you, Debussy and tazeez are Group 3 level in Europe and they will also tell you how weak our 1m2 races have been this year. Why would I want to say that about my own racing, i have to tell the truth and tell it like it is.

[ThePixiePoet]

What an upset!!!

[GBeret83]

@ThePixiePoet, I've commented all week long that based on their form in their most recent races. That both Debussy and Tazeez would be a very legitimate threat to Gio Ponti if he didn't bring his "A" game to the Million. William Buick rode a perfect race on Debussy. Holding the rail, and saving ground. Gio Ponti almost always makes that big wide, sweeping move around the outside. Debussy has just entirely too much speed to give up that much ground to him. So, IMO, it wasn't that big of an upset.

[kelletman]

@GBeret83 We got it about right, Debussy did bring his ''A'' game and Tazeez did finish 2L behind Gio Ponti, it would be nice if every race was so easy.