Europeans descend on Arlington
There is plenty of European interest in the Arlington Million with runners from Charlie Appleby and Roger Charlton while Willie Mullins saddles Clondaw Warrior in the American St Leger
DEAUVILLE is aiming to become just the second three-year-old to win the Arlington Million on Saturday evening.
The Europeans have a reasonable record in the race, with Andre Fabre, Saeed bin Suroor, John Gosden, Andreas Wohler and Deauville's trainer Aidan O'Brien all having been successful.
O'Brien bids for his third win after Powerscourt, who would have been a dual winner but for being disqualified in 2004, and Cape Blanco.
Deauville is already a winner in America after he overcame a wide draw under an excellent Jamie Spencer in the Belmont Derby.
He spearheads a strong raid on the meeting for the County Tipperary maestro.
"Deauville won nicely the last day," said O'Brien.
"He's drawn wide again but is in good form. He would have had a penalty in the Secretariat so he's running in this.
"He's a straightforward horse who gets the trip well. He's in good form for the Million."
David O'Meara's Mondialiste, second to Tepin in the Breeders' Cup Mile and back to form last time, is joined by the Charlie Appleby-trained Tryster and Decorated Knight, from Roger Charlton's yard.
Tryster is on a recovery mission after beating only one horse home on unsuitable soft ground in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Appleby said: "His breeze on Wednesday morning went very well.
"He does have a wide draw but we won't change his running style, and he will come from off the pace.
"He will need some luck in running but I couldn't be happier with his preparation."
Decorated Knight was a very smooth winner of a Group Three in Ireland last time out and appears to be still improving.
The Beckhampton handler said: "Decorated Knight has settled in very well at Arlington for the Million on Saturday.
"His regular work rider says he feels great, and he has not left any food since he arrived.
"All the tweets from the local journalists show him rolling on the grass, if he is not eating it, which is his little party trick."
Local hopes rest with last year's winner The Pizza Man and World Approval, for Tepin's trainer Mark Casse.
The Europeans also have a good record in the Beverly D Stakes and their record would be even better had Ralph Beckett's Secret Gesture not been controversially disqualified last year.
This time the betting is dominated by a pair of O'Brien-trained fillies, Ballydoyle and Coolmore.
Things have not gone to plan for Ballydoyle since chasing home Minding in the 1000 Guineas and she finished last in the Belmont Oaks.
Coolmore's best display came when third in the same American race.
"The two fillies are in good form. Ballydoyle slipped a bit on the home bend the last day but is in good form, while Coolmore will get the mile and a quarter trip well," said O'Briien.
"Colm (O'Donoghue) felt Ballydoyle slip so he looked after her. She came out of the race very well. She's a bit sharper than Coolmore.
"Ballydoyle would probably get away with shorter but Coolmore will stay it well, we think and hope Ballydoyle does get a mile and a quarter."
The Mikel Delzangles-trained Pretty Girl is the only other European-based runner.
O'Brien's Long Island Sound, the beaten favourite in the Belmont Derby, is the sole European representative in the Secretariat Stakes.
"Long Island Sound ran well the last day as we think he's progressing," said O'Brien.
"We think he's getting better with every run."
Clondaw Warrior flies the flag for Ireland and Willie Mullins in the Grade Three American St Leger after his recent success in the Galway Hurdle.
He is owned by a syndicate which includes the wives of Ruby Walsh and David Casey.
Patrick Mullins, the trainer's son and assistant, said: "He's been great sport for the girls - he's taken them to Ascot, Cheltenham, Galway, France, Punchestown and now America.
"He's holding his form really well, arguably his Galway win was his best ever over hurdles.
"The trip and ground will be fine and he's got Seamie Heffernan on who knows the track really well.
"There's good prize-money and Willie left on Friday morning so he'll be there.
"It's a bit left field but we're hoping he can run really well."
