Caterman in field for Arlington Million

Press, 3 August 1981, Page 22

Caterman in field for Arlington Million

NZPA Chicago The New Zealand-bred horse, Caterman, a five-year-old gelding stabled in California will run in the inaugural Arlington Million, the world’s richest thoroughbred race. Caterman has finished in the money in II of 12 starts this year and was disqualified after finishing first in the Hollywood Gold Cup. Five top European horses, and one from South Africa have been named in a field of 14 for the race.

Worth about $NZ720,000 to the winner, the race will be run over 10 furlongs at Chicago’s Arlington Park track on August 30 and will be televised around the world.

The president of Arlington Park, Joe Joyce, announcing the starters selected from 56 final nominations by an international panel, described the field as awesome. Four American horses in the field are headed by John Henry, which has already amassed more than SUSI.BM in earnings, and the 1980 Belmont Stakes winner, Temperance Hill.

The leading European contenders are Argument, from France, To-Agori-Mou and Madam Gay from Britain, and Fingal's Cave and Kilijaro from Ireland. Argument, a four-year-old colt trained by Maurice Zilber, came second in the Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe last year. Argument or John Henry will probably start favourite. Australia has an interest in Chicago-trained Rossie Gold, a five-year-old sired by Taj Rossie. The selection panel has named 10 reserves in case of withdrawals.

The field is:— John Henry

(U.S.), Argument (France), To-Agori-Mou (England), Bold Tropic (South Africa), Caterman (New Zealand), Temperance Hill (U.S.), Madam Gay (England), Premio Nobel (Chile), Key To Content (U.S,), Fingal’s Cave (Ireland), Rossi Gold (U.S.), Mountdrago (Argentina), Ben Fab (Canada), Kilijaro (Ireland).

Emergencies: In Fijar (France), P’tite Tete (France), ■ The Bart (U.S.), Super Moment (U.S.), Sea Chimes (England), Mrs Penny (England), Bel Bolid (England), Centurius (England), Esclavo (West Germany), Match the Hatch (U.S.).