James Covello, Sheep Pond Partners and Head of Plains Partners’ Beach Patrol (USA) again proved his affinity for the turf course at Arlington International Racecourse when finishing best in a frantic finish in Saturday’s 35th running of the Grade I Arlington Million.
By virtue of his win in the million-dollar event, Beach Patrol earned automatic, paid entry into the Grade I $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar in November by capturing the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series “Win and You’re In” event.
Beach Patrol (USA) and Joel Rosario go clear, picture Grant Courtney - paomaphotography.com.au
A Grade I winner over the local lawn in last year’s Secretariat Stakes, Beach Patrol was seeking his first victory in 2017 in his fifth start after hitting the board three times in Grade I company this season. The Chad Brown trainee broke well under Joel Rosario and pressed the early pace set by Virginia Tarra Trust’s Brian Williamson trainee Oak Brook through splits of 24.45, 49.53 and 1:14.38. Still a length back from the leader after a mile in 1:38.92, the 4-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid turned in a game effort in the lane to cross the wire a half-length in front in 2:02.39 for the 1¼-miles turf trip.
“They told me I had to get him out of the gate, get into a good position and let him find himself,” Rosario said. “It took a little bit of time, but he really found his way after. I appreciate the chance and the opportunity to be able to ride him today.”
“This was the spot and the race we’ve been waiting for for a year,” said Sol Kumin, who won the Grade I Beverly D. just one race prior with Dacita. “He loves it here, Joel gave us a great ride, obviously Chad and his team had the horse ready and we’re super happy. It’s funny – I’ve seen the trophy and Chad always talked about this as the best trophy in horse racing. It’s always been on the bucket list and I’m super-fortunate to be here with my kids and dad. It doesn’t get much better than this.”
Touch Gold Racing’s Marco Botti-trained Fanciful Angel (IRE) settled off the early splits and made a sharp late rally under Daniel Muscutt to finish second at 73-1, a neck ahead of Mrs. Fitri Hay, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith’s post-time favorite Deauville (IRE), who was ridden by Ryan Moore for trainer Adian O’Brien. Deauville finished third in the Million for the second consecutive year.
“We had a good spot on the rail and he cruised around,” Muscutt said. “Got space at the right time, but they were just one better at the end. I’m delighted.”
“I think he ran a very good race,” Moore offered. “He had his chance. Maybe the trip stretched him.”
Beach Patrol won for the fourth time in 15 starts and earned $564,000 for the victory, boosting his career bankroll to $1,456,945 and making him racing’s newest millionaire. He returned $11.80, $6 and $4. Fanciful Angel paid $51.40 and $10.40, while Deauville returned $2.80
What the jockeys said:
Joel Rosario (jockey, Beach Patrol, 1st): “They told me I had to get him out of the gate and get into a good position and let him find himself. It took a little bit of time, but he really found his way after. I appreciate the chance and the opportunity to be able to ride him today.”
Daniel Muscutt (jockey, Fanciful Angel, 2nd): “We had a good spot on the rail and he cruised around. Got space at the right time, they were just one better at the end. I’m delighted.”
Ryan Moore (jockey, Deauville, 3rd): “I think he ran a very good race. He had his chance, maybe the trip stretched him.”
Corey Lanerie (jockey, Enterprising, 4th): “The trip was good, the rail could have opened up a little sooner, but I got to save all the ground. I don’t think going around would have made a difference.”
Jose Ortiz (jockey, Ascend, 5th): “I didn’t like the post. He stumbled a little bit from there so I was starting far behind early in the race. It was a good trip after the break, it was clear.”
Santo Sanjur (jockey, Oak Brook, 6th): “My horse ran a really good race, I was in the lead easy and he was comfortable. The other horses beat me but he ran his race.”
Julien Leparoux (jockey, Divisidero, 7th): “The first part of the race he relaxed nicely for me. At the second turn I had to come a little wide, but after that it was just too tough.”
Florent Geroux (jockey, Oscar Nominated, 8th): It went good for me, but I just didn’t have the horse. I had a good trip, though. I was right behind the winner.”
James Graham (jockey, Kasqui, 9th): I had a great trip, he just didn’t punch today. The ground has a little more cut than you’d expect.”
Frankie Dettori (jockey, Mekhtaal, 10th): “The trip was terrible, he stumbled out of the gate and we were caught wide. We had eleven horses to pass and I never quite got him running. We got stopped numerous times.”
Edwin Gonzalez (jockey, Ghost Hunter, 11th): “He tried hard, but they were much better horses today.”
Irad Ortiz, Jr. (jockey, The Pizza Man, 12th): “He had a good trip, he was comfortable. You can’t fight him, you have to let him be him, and when I asked him he made a little run but was just a little flat.”
