Speedy Mission Approved set for Million

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arlington Heights, IL (Sports Network) - Ten turf runners have been entered for Saturday's edition of the Arlington Million, which will be run for the 29th time. The two favorites, Cape Blanco and Gio Ponti, are coming off the Man o'War Stakes where they finished first and second, respectively.

The 6-1 third choice in the program is the speedy Mission Approved who is trained by co-owner Naipaul Chatterpaul. The seven-year-old will be starting in his 25th career race in the 1 1/4-mile preview of the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Mission Approved will likely set the pace and Chatterpaul is not adverse to a wet course.

"We wouldn't mind seeing rain given the way he runs," said Chatterpaul. "The cutback should also suit him well with a shorter stretch and less ground to cover."

The former claimer was fourth in the Man o'War, but defeated Gio Ponti back in June in the Manhattan Handicap at Belmont Park. The horse was second to Gio Ponti in last year's Man o'War.

"After the (2010) Man o'War I was getting him ready for the Sword Dancer and he grabbed a quarter," Chatterpaul explained. "I let it heal on its own. By the time it healed up it was the end of the grass season in New York and I don't race anywhere else for the winter. So I sent him to the farm and brought him back this year."

The front-running veteran has earned $790,830 with eight wins and five seconds. Mission Approved's regular jockey Jose Espinoza has the mount for Chatterpaul.