Top-class field to chase Arlington ‘Million’

Press, 20 August 1981, Page 24

Top-class field to chase Arlington ‘Million’

NZPA-Reuter Chicago

The first million-dollar purse in the history of thoroughbred horse-racing could launch a contest this month to rival the Kentucky Derby, English Derby and France's Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe.

The inaugural running of the Arlington Million in Chicago has attracted topclass horses from Europe and South America to take on America’s turf champion, John Henry; But the "Million,” to be run on August 30 at the Arlington Park track, will not quite come up to what promoter Joe Joyce had in mind when he announced the event a year ago. Mr Joyce, president of Arl-

ington Park, envisaged it as the world championship of racing when he proposed prize money of SUS6OO,OOO ($NZ728,640) for the winner of the weight-for-age event over 2700 m on grass. The field will line up without the best three-year-olds in Europe and the United States, Shergar and Pleasant Colony. Shergar, the Aga Khan’s wonder colt, won the English and Irish Derby classics and then trounced older horses in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot to be hailed as Europe’s greatest three-year-old since Nijinsky and Mill Reef. Shergar’s connections said the “Million” did not fit in ’

with their plans to aim the l

colt at the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe in early October. Pleasant Colony had a strenuous Triple Crown campaign and his trainer, Johnny Campo, felt the Arlington “Million” was just too much to ask of the colt. Besides, Pleasant Colony has yet to show he can handle grass as well as the dirt track. Argument, a French four-year-old which finished second in the Arc last year, and Madam Gay, a smart three-year-old English filly, lead the European contingent. . Other strong contenders from outside the United States are French-trained Fijar and Fingal’s Cave from England.