2013 Arlington Million Betting Preview Part 1

Easily one of the most intriguing betting races of the entire year, the latest iteration of the Arlington Million is set to offer up plenty of excitement this coming weekend as one of the premier preps for the Breeders’ Cup Turf is finally set to get underway. An interesting selection of European shippers fly stateside for this one every year and the 2013 edition of the race is no exception. 

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE BET WITH WILLIAM HILL!

Europe takes on America in this famous race - the first $1,000,000 purse ever offered in horse racing - tracing all the way back to John Henry in the early 1980s. The legendary gelding conquered the race twice on his way to amassing the largest fortune ever collected by a thoroughbred up to that point. 

The turf division in America is certainly not as competitive as it has been in Europe for decades but a number of talented specialists will represent the stars and stripes this Saturday at Arlington. 

The main betting choice for most punters who are active in the ante post market looks to be Grandeur who has been floated by the European books as the 11/4 favourite to capture the million. This won’t be the first stateside trip for the four-year-old gelded son of Verglas as he competed in the Breeders’ Cup undercard on November 3rd of last year - capturing a Grade 2 contest when sent out of the gate at a 5/1 price tag. 

Following that, he had another two runs in Southern California, finishing second to Unbridled Command in the Hollywood Derby and then following it up three weeks later to capture the Hollywood Turf Cup over Interaction at an 8/5 price tag. 

Following a six month freshening, he returned to England and is still yet to capture a win in his past two contests. Both of them were Group 2 efforts and he only lost to Mukhadram by less than a length. Three starts off the lay-off and back in the United States pumped full of Lasix, you can expect Grandeur to either make the breakthrough or be a serious disappointment.