Classy field builds up for Million

The die hasn't been cast, but it's more than a hunch thatArlington's Million XI, two weeks from today, will have a solid fieldof 14 to vie for the winner's share of $600,000 in a race that willhelp decide the 1991 turf champion.

There's no doubt the $2 million Breeders' Cup Turf at ChurchillDowns Nov. 2 will go a long way to decide that grass running title,but Arlington's Million is certain to have most of the horses thatwill run in the 1 1/4-mile Cup.

Despite the fact that post time is nearing, I couldn't bet justwho will be the favorite. Twenty-nine classy thoroughbreds, 18 fromUnited States and 11 from Europe, were kept eligible Wednesday at acost of $54,000 for the 1 1/4-mile event coveted by leading horsementhroughout the world.

If some owner who didn't keep his horse eligible for the Millionchanges his mind and wants his horse in that race, he must pay$50,000 as a supplementary entry.

All 10 of the previous Arlington Million races drew somestandout horses, but I doubt those races drew as many top horses. Ihave a feeling all 14 will be top grass horses. Some previousArlington Million winners - John Henry (1981), Perrault (1982),Manila (1987) and Steinlen (1989) - can be considered great.

The committee to select the 14 for the Million might have aheadache separating the horses. At this moment I'd select Filago,Exbourne, In Excess, Itsallgreektome, Izvestia, Jolie's Halo andFarma Way from the America list. Seven horses bred here and sevenfrom Europe is the way they slice the probable starters.

The 11 international horses kept eligible were Candy Glen,Calour Chart, Cudas, Hundra, Kartajana, Polar Falcon, Priolo,Sagace's Choice, Sikeston, Spending Record and Theatre Critic.

From that list, I don't like Spending Record and from theAmerican list I don't care for big winner Double Booked, who has wonsix turf races this year. He doesn't care to exert himself much morethan a few yards beyond 1 1/8 miles. I really didn't think they'dpay $5,000 to keep him eligible, but owners sometimes can't believewhat they see.

Double Booked barely lasted to win the recent 1 1/8-mile BernardBaruch by a nostril at Saratoga.

Bobby Frankel's Filago caught more than my eye when he won lastweek's Arlington Handicap. He flew from 11th place, split horses,went around horses and won by 3 1/2 lengths. Until his last tworaces here, Filago raced in France where I believe they have most ofthe better turf horses.

"I don't think he'll get beat in this country," Frankel told mein the paddock while the horses were being saddled for the ArlingtonHandicap. "He's a good one."

He really impressed me, but his Exbourne and even his Val DesBois also are fine grass horses. Exbourne might be a serious Millionthreat.

So is In Excess. He was named the top throughbred of the week inthe national thoroughbred poll conducted by Thoroughbred RacingCommunications. In Excess won his last four races on the dirt, buthe won races on the turf in Europe. He's a top horse.

If Farma Way, who never has run on the turf, would happen tolike it during some workouts, chances are his trainer D. Wayne Lukaswould take a shot with him to win so much money. Farma Away likes afirm strip. He didn't have it when he stopped in the Del Mar PacificClassic Stakes recently.

Horseplayers think the turf is softer than the dirt. That'strue when it's wet, but when it's dry the grass is firmer than thedirt courses. Farma Way might love the grass. He has much speed andability.

If I had to make an early selection I'd take Filago to win, butI cannot overlook Exbourne, In Excess, Itsallgreektome, last year'sEclipse winning turf horse, Izvestia and even Jolie's Halo, who wasfourth to Double Booked in the recent Bernard Baruch.