By Alan Carasso
Deauville (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) made a pair of trips to the U.S. last summer, first taking out the GI Belmont Derby, an effort that would almost certainly have made him the one to beat in the GI Secretariat S. Instead, he was given a crack at his elders in the GI Arlington Million and gave an excellent account of himself, racing prominently before going down narrowly in third to Mondialiste (Ire) to complete a 1-3 finish for his all-conquering stallion. The bay is back in Chi-town Saturday afternoon and is the 7-2 morning-line favorite in this country's original seven-figure race, a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf.
Whereas last year's Million was the final of just four sophomore appearances for Deauville, he will be making his seventh trip to the races while visiting a seventh different venue this term. Though he was well-beaten in the G1 Dubai Turf to kick off the season, he has been a model of consistency since with a win in the G3 Huxley S. around the tight turns of Chester (video), Group 1 thirds in the one-mile G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot (video) and in a soft-turf renewal of the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at this trip (video). He was a latest head second when trying to make all in the G3 Meld S. at The Curragh July 20 (video).
Deauville will exit gate five beneath Ryan Moore, who–somewhat surprisingly–is in search of a first Million success. In addition to Mondialiste, Galileo is also the sire of the Aidan O'Brien-trained Cape Blanco (Ire), who won the 2011 Million in the colors of Mrs. Fitri Hay. O'Brien's first Million came courtesy of Powerscourt (GB) (Sadler's Wells) in 2005.
If it is not a son of Galileo who gets his picture taken Saturday, perhaps it will be his half-brother Sea the Stars (Ire) to supply the winner. Al Shaqab Racing's Mekhtaal (GB) was the runaway winner of last year's G2 Prix Hocquart and struck from close range to score by a neck in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan at Chantilly May 28 (video). The racy chestnut was further off the pace in the June 21 G1 Prince of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot (video) and finished well, but the €300,000 Arqana August yearling grad could do no better than a never-nearer sixth, beaten 3 1/2 lengths to Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Drawn widest here, he is likely to be ridden positively by Frankie Dettori and feels a better stayer than the favorite.
'TDN Rising Star' Beach Patrol (Lemon Drop Kid) looks to join the likes of Awad (1993/1995) and Marlin (1996/1997) as winners of the Secretariat to follow up in the Million. Runner-up in four Grade I tries thereafter, including a half-length defeat at the hooves of Divisidero (Kitten's Joy) in the GI Woodford Reserve Turf Classic May 6, the dark bay was fourth to upset-minded Ascend (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the GI Woodford Reserve Manhattan S. June 10 and filled the same slot after cutting out a demanding pace in the 11-furlong GI United Nations S. at Monmouth Park July 1. Joel Rosario takes over for Florent Geroux, who has the call atop Turf Classic third Oscar Nominated (Kitten's Joy).
Just one horse–the legendary John Henry (1981, 1984)–has won the Million more than once, and The Pizza Man (English Channel) has a chance to join him. The Illinois-bred makes his third start off a November layoff and exits a 1 1/2-length defeat in the GIII Stars and Stripes S. July 8. The turnback from 12 to 10 furlongs will help, but he'll need things to fall just right.
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