Boisterous favored to win Arlington Million

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (AP) - Boisterous is winless in three career Grade I races, never finishing higher than third.

Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey is hoping that streak ends this weekend.

Boisterous is the 4-1 morning-line favorite for Saturday's Arlington Million. The Kentucky-bred Boisterous has won seven of his 18 starts, including two wins in four races at the 1 1/4-mile distance.

``He seems to be coming into the race good,'' McGaughey said. ``He'll be a factor.''

Jose Lezcano will be aboard Boisterous coming out of the No. 2 post.

In his lone Grade I race this year on Belmont Stakes Day on June 9, Boisterous fell behind by 11 lengths, but managed to finish third. Then the Phipps Stable-owned horse was second by a neck in the Grade III Arlington Handicap on July 14.

That's why this appears to be one of the most wide-open races in the 30-year history of the Arlington Million. There are several other horses that could contend for the victory.

Irish-bred Crackerjack King is one of five European horses in the race. Crackerjack King won Italy's Group I Premio Presidente della Repubblica and was fifth in Britain's Group I Coral Eclipse Stakes.

Colm O'Donoghue will break Crackerjack King from the No. 9 post.

Afsare, Treasure Island and Little Mike also could be in the mix. All three are being listed at 6-1 odds.

Rahystrada, Colombian, Wilcox Inn, Wigmore Hall, Vertiformer and Cherokee Lord round out the field for the Arlington Million.

Two other Grade I races will be contested on the turf Saturday at Arlington Park, including the $750,000 Beverly D. The 3-1 favorite for the 1 3/16-mile race is Marketing Mix, ridden by Julien Leparoux. Aruna is the second choice at 7-2, with Ramon Dominguez in the saddle.

The $500,000 Secretariat is the other big race on the schedule. Silver Max is the 9-5 favorite for the 1 1/4-mile race and will break from the No. 8 gate, with Robby Albarado on board.