California-based Corey Nakatani will go on the jockey equivalent of a blind date when he rides Canadian representative Perfect Soul in Saturday’s Arlington Million. Nakatani has ridden in six Millions and finished second three times–on Sarafan last year, Mandarr in 2000 and Sandpit in 1995. . . .
Andreas Suborics, the Austrian rider who brought Germany its only Million win by taking Silvano to the winner’s circle in 2001, will ride France’s Touch of Gold. . . .
Sulamani from the mighty Godolphin Stable of the Maktoum royal family of Dubai boasts the best credentials of all the Europeans who have run in the Arlington Million since its inception in 1981. If he is the favorite Saturday, he will be only the third European cast in that role. The French mare Triptych was the 2.50-1 favorite in 1988 but finished 10th and 1989 favorite River Warden from France went off at 3.10-1 but finished 11th. . . .
Thoroughbred weight watchers will be taking a long look at five of the eight European contestants in the Million. Sulamani and English counterparts Beachamp Pilot and Olden Times and the French duo of Touch of Land and Vangelis all have demonstrated the ability to win while bearing what in American racing would be considered exceptionally hefty burdens, ranging from 128 to 133 pounds. . . . The biggest package toted by the U.S. horses in a winning performance during the past two years is the 124-pound assignment of Storming Home in this summer’s Grade I Whittingham Handicap and by The Tin Man in last fall’s Grade I Hirsch Memorial. . . .
All of the Million starters will carry 126 pounds, except Touch of Land, who gets a 120-pound assignment because he’s a 3-year-old. . . . The emergence of Saturday’s Grade I Secretariat in the 1990s as a world class grass race for 3-year-olds has made horses of that age a rarity in the Million. The last to run was England’s John Rose, who finished last in 1992. England’s Tolomeo in 1983 is the only 3-year-old winner.
