The Arlington Million was an event for as long as I remember. – My dad and I were at River Downs when they had one simulcast race. – It was the “Miracle Million” where the track burnt down and the races were held at Hawthorne. That is except the turf races. – When I had $2 to win and place on Teleprompter under the guidance of Tony St. Ives, I became a turf racing fan. – Two guys jumping around over the big score, and just to think we were able to watch and wager on this one big race. Times couldn’t get any better for about 8-9 years when the simulcast explosion brought you tracks around-the-clock from all over the world.

Arlington is a beautiful track. You have to get there about an hour or so earlier than planned just to walk around and take it all in. Incredible in every sense. – That was until I had back-to-back horrible years. – Storming Home was my big pick of the day and had one of my all-time favorite riders in the saddle. – When he veered in and dropped Gary I thought his career was over. – It was a big wagering loss, but more importantly, Gary Steven’s career looked over and a long recovery was in his future. – This was my first year going to the “Million” and it was kinda’ bitter.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIP8_yQuYT4

 

 

But racing fans are resilient. – We get beat and we get right back in the wagering lines again. – This year I was all-in on a runner by the name of Powerscourt. He had young-gun Jamie Spencer in the saddle and I was bound and determined to get even from the year prior. – I lost my bet and almost lost one of my favorite riders. – This year was going to be different.

 

 

 

But, after a DQ that took my breath away. I remembered racing fans are resilient. – I didn’t go the next year but bet a nice wager on Powerscourt under Kieran Fallon. – The jet black silks in 2005 were going to be my revenge.

 

 

This year I fell in love with a runner by the name of Robert Bruce. – Irad Ortiz was aboard on his birthday and that made it just a little sweeter. – I got involved in some exotic wagers and loved the Chilean-bred. – Ortiz is one of the best finishers down the lane, and this guy had his name all over it.

 

 

Race fans can go or not, but the race was our first worth a cool million bucks. – You have to watch if you’re a turf racing fan and you have to wager because the day offers great value. – I’ll continue to look forward to this day but I won’t be going anytime soon. I guess I was my own jinx of sorts and I seem to do much better just watching and wagering from afar. – Nothing like going to Chicago and it’s a great city to enjoy many things. But for this handicapper, I’ll stick to betting off-track as I have better results.