ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (AP) - Gio Ponti will attempt to join John Henry as the only horses to win the Arlington Million twice when he heads to the gate on Saturday.

The 5-year-old is the 7-5 favorite for the 1 1/2-mile race on turf at Arlington Park, just outside of Chicago. Gio Ponti stumbled out of the gate a year ago but roared into the lead on the final turn to win by just over a length.

John Henry won the inaugural race in 1981, then came back three years later to win again.

Named for the Italian architect of the same name, Gio Ponti can also make French-born Christophe Clement the first trainer to win the race in consecutive years. In four starts this year, Gio Ponti has finished first once and second twice.

His biggest threat will be Just as Well, the 7-year-old who battled with Gio Ponti down the stretch a year ago and finished second. Just as Well has finished second on two occasions in four starts this year, but still goes off as the 5-1 second choice.

The Arlington Million was scheduled for a 10-horse field, but Marsh Side was scratched on Thursday and only nine will start the race. Tazeez is the third choice at 6-1, despite going winless in four starts this year.

Two other Grade 1 turf races will be run Saturday at Arlington Park.

The favorite for the $750,000 Beverly D, a race for fillies and mares run over 1 1/6 miles, is Treat Gently, which has won four times in six starts this year. She took over as the top choice after 4-1 favorite Rainbow View was scratched Thursday with a tendon injury.

Paddy O'Prado, winner of two straight, is the even-money favorite in the Secretariat Stakes, which will be contested over 1 1/4 miles for 3-year-olds.