Cape Blanco wins Arlington Million
August 13, 2011ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (AP) - Irish-bred Cape Blanco won the Arlington Million on Saturday, surging to the lead at the head of the stretch to beat 2009 champion Gio Ponti by 21/2 lengths.
Dean's Kitten finished third in the 10-horse field.
Under jockey Jamie Spencer, Cape Blanco ran the 11/4-mile turf race in 2:05.39 during a steady rain and paid $6.20, $3.80 and $3.40. Gio Ponti returned $3.40 and $2.80, and Dean's Kitten paid $7.20 to show.
Gio Ponti, ridden by Ramon Dominguez, was attempting to join John Henry (1981 and 1984) as the only two-time winner of the Arlington Million.
Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Cape Blanco is owned by Mrs. Fitriani Hay, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael B. Tabor.