Horse Racing Nation: Pucker Up Stakes Day at Arlington Park in Photos

After winter's early arrival brought a week of clouds and cold rain to the Chicago area, it was wonderful to experience the sun at Arlington Park for Pucker Up Stakes (Gr. III) day. 

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Horse Racing Nation: Arlington Million Day at Arlington Park in Photos

I had an amazing time taking photos at the Arlington Million on Saturday. Please enjoy them here!

Horse Racing Nation: Million Preview Day at Arlington Park in Photos

On Saturday, Arlington Park hosted Million Preview Day and as usual the horses were the stars of the show. But this year their brilliance was nearly eclipsed by that of jockey Florent Geroux, who won three of the four stakes races of the day. 

The aptly-named Million Preview Day showcases four Grade III turf races: the Arlington Handicap, the Stars and Stripes Stakes, the American Derby, and the Modesty Handicap, which is a prep race for next month's Grade I Beverly D. Stakes on Arlington Million day.

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Horse Racing Nation: Arlington Classic Day at Arlington Park in Photos

As eyes were turned to California Chrome and his upcoming attempt at Triple Crown history, a filly quietly made history of her own in the first leg of the Mid-America Triple at Arlington Park on Saturday. Consisting of the Arlington Classic (Gr. III) in May, the American Derby (Gr. III) in July, and the Secretariat Stakes (Gr. I) in August, the Mid-America Triple is Arlington Park's turf response to the traditional Triple Crown races.

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The Pucker Up Stakes at Arlington Park, in photos

Pucker Up Stakes (Gr. III) day at Arlington Park lacks the hustle and bustle of Million Day, but as someone that is interested in following turf fillies and mares, the Pucker Up offered a preview of promising candidates in this class.

There was also another preview race of sorts, a maiden special weight for 2-year-olds. It's enjoyable to watch these races in the late summer and fall, and one always hopes to see the beginning of the next good horse.

The first race I was interested in photographing was race 6, an allowance optional claimer.

Rivershire, by Chicago Six

Devil and a Half, by Storm and a Half

Bluedacious, by Bluegrass Cat

Sancerre, Eduardo Perez up, swept wide around the turn...

...and overtook the front-running Bluedacious to win.

Sancerre, Perez up

Race 8 was a maiden special weight for two-year-old colts and geldings.

Son of Dixie, by Dixie Union. He would finish third.

As a fan of Holy Bull and Indian Charlie, I liked Blue Bull, who was by Holy Bull and out of an Indian Charlie mare.

Unfortunately he didn't do as well, finishing next to last!

Cool Cowboy, a son of young sire Kodiak Kowboy, Eduardo Perez up.

Cool Cowboy won drawing away and in near-track record time.

He galloped out well, too. He's one to watch!

Perez shaking the hands of Cool Cowboy's connections.

Two races after Cool Cowboy's runaway victory, it was time for the Pucker Up Stakes. Due to an abundance of entries, the Hatoof had been run in two divisions on Million Day. The winners of each division had entered the Pucker Up, including I'm Already Sexy, a daughter of Ready's Image. 

I'm Already Sexy enters the paddock.

I'm Already Sexy

Although she hadn't raced in either division of the Hatoof, Remember Then (by Pulpit) was one to watch as she was entering the Pucker Up undefeated in three starts.

Phonybooksnrecords, by Tapit, was an eye-catching bay with a large blaze.

I O Ireland was the winner of the second division of the Hatoof. By Giant's Causeway, she is a half-sister to Arlington Park regular Ioya Bigtime.

I O Ireland

Every Way, by City Zip

I'm Already Sexy

Frivolous, by Empire Maker

Miss Scout, by Pleasant Tap

I'm Already Sexy, Florent Geroux up

My Option (by Belong to Me), Eduardo Perez up

Frivolous, Francisco Torres up

Every Way, Emmanuel Esquivel up

I O Ireland, Seth Martinez up

Phonybooksnrecords, Rosemary Homeister up

I'm Already Sexy led wire-to-wire and won easily.

Geroux was all smiles!

The final race of the day was a maiden for Illinois-breds.

Last Nouncer, by Denouncer

J C Fifty, by Dehere

Toews, by Smoke Glacken

Secret Jinn, by Najran

Secret Jinn was a handful for his groom!

Valiant City (by City Zip), Chris Emigh up, wins.

Valiant City and a smiling Emigh in the late afternoon sun.

A railbird at Arlington Park

Arlington Million Day in Photos

Saturday was a banner day for emerging top turf sire Kitten’s Joy (El Prado - Kitten's First, by Lear Fan). First, son Big Blue Kitten (out of Spent Gold, by Unaccounted For) won the Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes (Gr. I) at Saratoga Racecourse, then 850 miles and 20 minutes later, sons Admiral Kitten (out of Reachinforthestars, by Grand Slam) and Real Solution (out of Reachfortheheavens, by Pulpit) headed the Kitten conquest of Chicago by winning the Secretariat Stakes (Gr. I) and Arlington Million Stakes (Gr. I), respectively.

As an interesting pedigree side note, the winners of the other two major stakes on Million Day at Arlington Park, the American St. Leger Stakes and Beverly D. Stakes (Gr. I), were both by Dansili, who--like Kitten's Joy--is a paternal great-grandson of Northern Dancer.

The weather on Million Day can sometimes be a toss-up (as is typical for the Chicago area) but on Saturday, one couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.

Wifeonthewarpath in the paddock before the Hatoof Stakes (Division 1).

 

The very handsome Dandino (GB) in the paddock prior to the American St. Leger.

Also handsome was Wigmore Hall (IRE), one of the truly international racehorses on the Million card.

Dandino (GB) proved that pretty horses can run by winning the American St. Leger over Suntracer (5).

Admiral Kitten, Rosie Napravnik up, in the paddock prior to winning the Secretariat Stakes.

Heavy favorite Marketing Mix in the paddock prior to the Beverly D. Stakes. She was very poised...

...as was Dank (GB)...

...but Gifted Girl (IRE) kept her handlers on their toes!

Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens (on Marketing Mix) is right at home on a horse. Gary came out of retirement in January and has been having a successful year to date.

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Dank (GB) ran away with the Beverly D., leaving Marketing Mix in her wake.

The paddock came alive prior to the Arlington Million. Familiar faces were here, including that of 9-year-old Rahystrada, a local favorite. He won the Arlington Handicap (Gr. III) last time out.

There were newcomers too, including the beautiful Side Glance (GB).

Mull of Kullough (IRE) takes in the paddock crowd.

Little Mike, Joel Rosario up, won the 2012 Arlington Million (under now-retired jockey, Ramon Dominguez). He was attempting to become the only back-to-back winner of the Million.

In a thrilling finish, The Apache (SAF) headed Real Solution at the wire but was disqualified to 2nd for interference. Side Glance (GB) was 3rd.

The Apache (SAF) getting hosed down after the Million.

Real Solution, Alan Garcia up, in the Arlington Million winner's circle.

Owner and breeder Ken Ramsey takes his turn wearing the garland. Ramsey also bred Kitten's Joy and stands the stallion at Ramsey Farm in Kentucky.