(Santin / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

From the Churchill Downs Media Team:

Godolphin’s Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (Grade I) winner Santin will face six fellow turf specialists, including Cannon Thoroughbreds’ 2021 Shoemaker Mile (GI) hero Smooth Like Strait, in Saturday’s 39th running of the $1 million Arlington Million (Grade I) at Churchill Downs.

          Thanks to cooperation from Ellis Park, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and Kentucky horsemen, the 1 1/8-mile Arlington Million, which annually attracts some of the nation’s elite turf stars age 3-years-old and up, will be staged at Churchill Downs for the first time in a special stand-alone, one-day, summertime event at the historic Louisville racetrack. Previously, it was run at Arlington Park until the racetrack closed in 2021.

          Saturday will mark only the third time in Churchill Downs’ 148-year history that racing at the home of the Kentucky Derby will take place in August. In 1983-84, Churchill Downs hosted extended 93-day Spring Meets that ran from late April through Labor Day.

          The first race Saturday is 12:45 p.m. and the Arlington Million will go as the finale at 6:25 p.m.

Saturday’s unique 11-race program will be co-headlined by the $500,000 Beverly D. (GI) for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf. The Beverly D is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In Filly & Mare Turf Division” race. The card will also include the $200,000 Fort Larned Stakes and the $200,000 Lady Tak Stakes.

          In the Arlington Million, Santin will return to Churchill Downs where he narrowly defeated Mira Mission in the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (GI) on Kentucky Derby Day. He will attempt to join Count Again (Frank E. Kilroe Mile and Shoemaker Mile), Cyberknife (Arkansas Derby and Haskell),Jackie’s Warrior (Churchill Downs and A.G. Vanderbilt), Life Is Good (Pegasus World Cup and Whitney),Nest (Ashland and Coaching Club American Oaks) and Regal Glory (Jenny Wiley and Just a Game) as dual U.S. Grade I winners in 2022.

Trained by Brendan Walsh, Santin most recently had an eventful sixth-place finish in the $750,000 Manhattan (GI) where he had an unexpected shoe repair in the paddock and was defeated 5 ¼ lengths byTribhuvan (FR). Santin has been preparing for the Arlington Million at Saratoga but arrived at Churchill Downs last Thursday and recorded a solid three-furlong move in :36.80 Monday morning outside Beverly D. competitor Family Way. Eight-time Churchill Downs leading rider Tyler Gaffalione will be aboard Santin from post No. 6.

          California-based Smooth Like Strait will attempt to score his eighth-career victory as one of the likely top betting interests. The ultra-consistent 5-year-old son of Midnight Lute finished 2 ¼-lengths behind Count Again in his attempt at a repeat victory in the $500,000 Shoemaker Mile (GI). Through 21 starts, Smooth Like Strait sports eight runner-up finishes and three third-place efforts with earnings of $1,581,573. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Smooth Like Strait led nearly every step of the way in last year’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (GI) but was nailed at the wire by Space Blues (IRE). Smooth Like Strait has been based at McCarthy’s Churchill Downs barn since Aug. 2 and completed his major work for the Arlington Million on Saturday with a swift half-mile move in :47.80. He’ll be ridden by John Velazquez from post 4.

          Another top horse that entered the Arlington Million is Juddmonte’s homebred Set Piece (GB). The 10-time winner has four wins from five starts beneath the Twin Spires that includes victories in last year’s $130,000 Opening Verse, $110,000 Douglas Park Overnight Stakes and $300,000 Wise Dan (GII). Set Piece sports one victory this year when he stormed from off the pace to win the $250,000 Dinner Party (GII) at Pimlico. Set Piece will be ridden by 2015 Arlington Million winner Florent Geroux from post 1.

          Trainer Chad Brown will attempt to win his record-extending fifth Arlington Million with Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables and Bethlehem Stables’ Sacred Life (FR). The classy 7-year-old ridgling defeated nine rivals in the $162,000 Monmouth Stakes (GIII) on June 18. As a 6-year-old, Sacred Life defeated fellow Arlington Million rival Field Pass in the $150,000 Knickerbocker (GIII) at Belmont Park. Sacred Life will be ridden by Manny Franco from post 2.

          Here’s the complete field from the rail out (with jockey and trainer): Set Piece (GB) (Geroux, Cox); Sacred Life (FR) (Franco, Brown); Field Pass (Rey Gutierrez, Mike Maker); Smooth Like Strait (Velazquez, McCarthy); Megacity (Gerardo Corrales, Mike Maker); Santin (Gaffalione, Walsh); Admission Office (Brian Hernandez Jr., Brian Lynch); Cavalry Charge (David Cohen, Dallas Stewart); and Cellist (Corey Lanerie, Rusty Arnold).

          The Arlington Million will be conducted in Lane 1 on the Matt Winn Turf Course.

          Fans can still purchase tickets for Arlington Million Day. For ticket options and more information, visitwww.churchilldowns.com.

          Wagering is available for the Arlington Million and every race from Churchill Downs onwww.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Inc. and the Kentucky Derby.

GROUP II WINNER LILY POND (IRE) SHIPS FROM IRELAND TO U.S. IN SEARCH OF GRADE I GLORY IN $500,000 BEVERLY D. – Westerberg Limited, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith’s recent Group II winner Lily Pond (IRE) will be in search of Grade I glory in her first stateside start in the highly-competitive 32nd running of the $500,000 Beverly D (Grade I) on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

          The 1 1/8-mile Beverly D. will go as Race 5 of 11 on the Arlington Million Day program at 3:01 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 12:45 p.m. with the $1 million Arlington Million slated as the finale at 6:25 p.m.

          The Beverly D. is part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” series. The winning horse will get an automatic berth into the $2 million Filly & Mare Turf (GI), which will be held Nov. 5 at Keeneland Race Course.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Lily Pond had her first training session over the Churchill Downs dirt course Tuesday where she had an easy six-furlong gallop. The daughter of late Coolmore stallion Galileo(IRE) was the half-length winner of the Kilboy Estate Stakes (GII) in her last start at the Curragh. O’Brien and Lily Pond’s ownership team won last year’s Beverly D with Santa Barbara (IRE). Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will have the mount and break from post No. 5

Among the rivals to Lily Pond in the Beverly D. is Susan and John Moore’s five-time graded stakes winner Princess Grace. The seasoned 5-year-old mare by Karakontie (JPN) was victorious in the last two runnings of the $200,000 Dr. James Penny Memorial Stakes (GIII) at Parx. Locally, Princess Grace won the $200,000 Mrs. Revere (GII) in 2020 when it was taken off the grass and run at 1 1/16 miles on dirt. Her other notable graded stakes victories are the $200,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap (GII) and the $750,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf (GIII). Jockey Florent Geroux will have the mount from post 3.

          Another talented mare that entered the Beverly D. is Hunter Valley Farm, Debra O’Connor and Marc Detampel’s $750,000 New York Stakes (GI) runner-up Family Way. The Brendan Walsh trainee was victorious in the $150,000 Orchid (GIII) in April at Gulfstream Park. Family Way has competed at several distances in her 16-race career and four of her five victories have come in races greater than 1 1/8 miles. Tyler Gaffalione will ride from post 2.

          Peter M. Brant and Michael B. Tabor’s Beaugay (GIII) winner Rougir (FR) looks to improve upon a fourth-place in the $500,000 Diana (GI) at Saratoga on July 16. The 4-year-old filly is trained by Chad Brown, who has won the Beverly D. a record six times, including five in a row from 2015-19. Manny Franco will ride from post 4.

          Here is the complete field for the Beverly D. from the rail out (with jockey and trainer): Dalika (GER) (Brian Hernandez Jr., Al Stall Jr); Family Way (Gaffalione, Walsh); Princess Grace (Geroux, Mike Stidham);Rougir (FR) (Franco, Brown); Lily Pond (IRE) (Velazquez, O’Brien).

          The Beverly D. will be run in Lane 3 on the Matt Winn Turf Course, 24 feet from the inside rail.

GRADE III WINNER MR. WIRELESS TOPS $200,000 FORT LARNED – Jon Lapczenski and JIL Stable’s multiple Grade III winner Mr. Wireless will headline Saturday’s inaugural running of the $200,000 Fort Larned Stakes at Churchill Downs.

           The Fort Larned, run at 1 3/16 miles, was carded as Race 10 of 11 with a post time of 5:51 p.m. (all times Eastern). Saturday’s special Arlington Million Day card will have a first post of 12:45 p.m. The program features the $1 million Arlington Million (GI) and the $500,000 Beverly D. (GI). The card will also include the first running of the $200,000 Lady Tak Stakes for female sprinters.

          Trained by Bret Calhoun, Mr. Wireless gamely won the $100,000 Michael G. Schaefer Memorial Stakes at Horseshoe Indiana in his last start. The 4-year-old son of Dialed In most notably won last year’s $300,000 Indiana Derby (GIII) and the $500,000 West Virginia Derby (GIII). The Fort Larned will be Mr. Wireless’ third start of his 2022 campaign and will be ridden by Deshawn Parker from post No. 3

          Chief among the rivals to Mr. Wireless is Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm’s King Fury. The well-bred 4-year-old colt by Curlin won last year’s $200,000 Lexington Stakes (GIII) and the $275,000 Bourbon Trail. Trained by Kenny McPeek, King Fury was scratched from last week’s $135,000 Alydar at Saratoga in favor of this race. He’ll be ridden by Julien Leparoux from post 2.

          Here is the complete field for the Fort Larned Stakes from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):Artemus Eagle (Erica Herrforth, Waylon Cundiff); King Fury (Leparoux, McPeek); Mr. Wireless (Parker, Calhoun); Treasure Trove (Rafael Bejarano, Lynn Cash); Twilight Blue (Brian Hernandez Jr., Joe Sharp);Intrepid Heart (Tyler Gaffalione, Joe Sharp); and Keystone Field (Manny Franco, Mike Maker).

ROUND 7: SCONSIN VERSUS BELL’S THE ONE IN $200,000 LADY TAK – In Saturday’s $200,000 Lady Tak Stakes, two of the biggest rivals on the backstretch of Churchill Downs – multiple graded stakes-winning sprinters Sconsin and Bell’s the One – will face each other for the seventh time in the six-furlong dash on Arlington Million Day.

          The compact field of five fillies and mares will go to post in Race 7 at 4:09 p.m. (all times Eastern) Saturday. First post is 12:45 p.m. for the special Arlington Million Day program. The featured $1 million Arlington Million (Grade I) will go as Race 11 at 6:25 p.m. The co-featured event is the $500,000 Beverly D. (GI), a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In Filly & Mare Turf Division” race, that goes as Race 5 at 3:01 p.m.

          Sconsin and Bell’s the One are no strangers to Churchill Downs as they’ve both been based beneath the Twin Spires for the majority of their careers with trainers Greg Foley and Neil Pessin, respectively. The duo last faced one another in the $200,000 Chicago Stakes (GIII), which was run June 25 at Churchill Downs. Both Sconsin and Bell’s the One were not able to close ground in late stretch and finished behind front-running Lady Rocket. For those keeping score, Sconsin finished 1 ½ lengths in front of Bell’s the One. Through six starts against one another, the duo has each defeated their rival three times.

Prior to the Chicago Stakes, the Lloyd Madison Farms-owned Sconsin scored her second-consecutive victory in the $200,000 Winning Colors (GIII) in May. The homebred mare by Include has not worked since her runner-up effort to Lady Rocket in the Chicago but has continued to gallop at Churchill Downs. She’ll be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione out of post No. 2.

          Lothenbach Stable’s Bell’s the One has won on nearly every surface throughout her 25-race stand. She began her career at Arlington Park where she broke her maiden on the synthetic surface. As a 3-year-old, Bell’s the One was victorious in the $75,000 Allen “Black Cat” LaCombe Memorial on the turf at Fair Grounds. Bell’s the One has worked twice since the Chicago Stakes. Both times she was in company with stablemate Fine Cotton and with regular rider Corey Lanerie in the saddle. The daughter of Majesticperfection sped a half-mile in :46.80 Friday and skittered five furlongs in :58.80 on July 29. Lanerie will be aboard in the Lady Tak and break from the rail.

          Here’s the complete Lady Tak field from the rail out (with jockey and trainer): Bell’s the One (Lanerie, Pessin); Sconsin (Gaffalione, Foley); Joyful Cadence (Rey Gutierrez, John Oritz); Lovemesomeme (Brian Hernandez Jr., Tommy Drury); and Music City Star (Jose Lopez, Chris Davis).

SATURDAY’S RACES TO BE TELEVISED ON FOX SPORTS’ SARATOGA LIVE – All races from Saturday’s special Arlington Million Day card at Churchill Downs will be televised live as part of NYRA and FOX Sports’ Saratoga Live programming on FS1 from 12:30-3 p.m., FS2 from 3-6 p.m. and FS1 from 6-7 p.m.

ARLINGTON MILLION DAY ON-TRACK EVENTS – On-track special events for Saturday’s Arlington Million Day card at Churchill Downs include a one-day, live money handicapping contest that will award horseplayers prize money and coveted berths to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge; between-race musical performances from the Kentucky Derby Winner’s Circle presentation stand by Louisville’s renowned rhythm and blues and jazz artist Robbie Bartlett; and special Chicago-inspired concessions, including Chicago Dog, Italian Beef Sandwich, Polish Sausage and Shaved Italian Ice. There also will be a special “Chicago Handshake” alcohol beverage available at the I’ll Have Another and Behave Yourself bars on the second floor of the clubhouse.

For more information, go to www.churchilldowns.com/calendar/2022-08-13.

Tickets for general admission and first floor seating are $14. Reserved seating starts at $17 and reserved dining starts at $82. To purchase tickets, visit www.churchilldowns.com/tickets.