Arlington Million 2010 Racing Results: Exciting finish with Debussy Beating Gio Ponti.
Irish-bred Debussy won the Arlington Million on Saturday, rallying to beat 2009 champion and favorite Gio Ponti by a half-length.This was the winner’s first North American start, covering 1 ¼ miles in 2:03.01 on firm turf.
Jockey William Buick steered Debussy along the rail from well back in the stretch run at Arlington Park. Debussy, owned by Darley Stud Management and trained by John Gosden, ran 1 miles on the turf course in 2:01.01 and paid $24, $8.20 and $5.60.
Gio Ponti returned $2.80 and $2.40, and Tazeez paid $4 to show.
Last years winner, Gio Ponti, ridden by Ramon Dominguez, was attempting to join John Henry (1981 and 1984) as the only two-time winner. Gio Ponti is owned by Castleton Lyons and trained by Christophe Clement.
The Arlington Million was the first thoroughbred race to offer a purse of $1,000,000 in August 1981. It is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, the winner of the 2008 Arlington Million automatically qualifies for the Breeders’ Cup Turf. The “Million” is considered by many in American racing circle to be the most prestigious turf race in the country behind only the Breeders’ Cup.
See also …
THOROUGHBRED TIMES Debussy upsets champion Gio Ponti in Million
VIDEO Arlington Million 2009
Entries: Thoroughbred Race, ARLINGTON PARK, 2009-08-08, Race 9: (Pgm-Runner-Jockey-Finish) 1-Einstein (BRZ), Leparoux, J, finished 5; 2-Presious Passion (FL), Trujillo, E, finished 8; 3-Just as Well (KY), Baird, E, finished 2; 4-Stotsfold (GB), Kirby, A, finished 3; 5-Mr. Sidney (KY), Desormeaux, K, finished 6; 6-Gio Ponti (KY), Dominguez, R, finished 1; 7-Gloria de Campeao (BRZ), Pereira, T, finished 7; 8-Cima de Triomphe (IRE), Lemaire, C, finished 4;