Arlington Million Stakes Picks — Betting Preview and Predictions (Aug 9)

Colonial Downs hosts its biggest race day of the year on Aug 9, with the high-quality card headlined by the G1 Arlington Million Stakes. As well as winning their share of the $1 million purse, the winning runner will also secure their spot in the Breeders’ Cup Turf in November. Find the odds and picks here.

Odds

Arlington Million Stakes Recent Winners

Arlington Million Stakes: Event Information

Race Preview

The G1 Arlington Million has long-been one of the most entertaining races on the summer racing schedule. However, it moved from its previous home at Arlington Park to Colonial Downs in 2023. It has a fine history of discovering a leading contender for the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Integration will be a red-hot selection this year. The five-year-old was a very good second behind Deterministic on his latest start in the G1 Manhattan Stakes at Saratoga. However, the fact that he has finished second on three of his four starts this season would be a slight concern.

Former Kentucky Derby champion Mystik Dan is the runner for Kenneth McPeek, as he tackles the turf for the first time. However, his run in the G1 Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs in June has some substance to it, as he finished just two lengths behind Mindframe. But, the lack of turf form is a red flag.

Fort Washington could be a standout play for exotics this weekend. The six-year-old struggled over an inadequate distance last time out in the G2 Wise Dan Stakes, but he has proven staying ability after already landing the G3 Dinner Party Stakes at Pimlico in May.

Arlington Million Stakes Picks

I’m a big fan of Cairo for trainer Alice Haynes this weekend. The five-year-old, who was previously trained by Aidan O’Brien, was an excellent third at a massive price in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

That form has already been upgraded based on the previous efforts of the first two, and few rivals in the race this weekend can boast the same form as that effort at the highest level.