Trainer Chad Brown wins Arlington Million XXXI for big day

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arlington Heights, IL (Sports Network) - Trainer Chad Brown pulled off an amazing double Saturday when his Real Solution was placed first over The Apache in Arlington Million XXXI at Arlington Park.

The win by disqualification came about 90 minutes after Brown and owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey won the Sword Dancer Invitational at Saratoga. The Ramseys, also owners of Real Solution, pocketed $960,000 with the two wins.

The Apache, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, assumed the lead in the 1 1/4-mile Million with a furlong to run. He was quickly joined by Real Solution and jockey Alan Garcia.

The two horses battled through the stretch with The Apache lugging out from the inside. An objection was lodged with the stewards who reversed the order of finish for the top two horses. The Apache had hit the wire a head in front of Real Solution.

This was the third time the winner of the Million had been disqualified. In 2003 and 2004 winners Storming Home and Powerscourt, respectively, were disqualified to fourth.

Defending Million winner Little Mike was on lead for most of the race, but faded as the 13-horse field went into the stretch.

Following the first two finishers under the wire were Side Glance, Finnegans Wake, Temeraine, Little Mike, Grandeur, Mull of Killough, Guest of Honour, Hunter's Light, Rahystrada, Nates Mineshaft and Indy Point.

The time for Million XXXI was 2:00.99 on firm turf course.

The 1 1/4-mile turf event is part of the Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" program. A victory reserves a spot for Real Solution in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 2.

Real Solution won for the first time this year after finishing fourth in the Fort Marcy and third in the Manhattan Handicap, both at Belmont Park. Before this year he had been racing in Italy.

The 4-year-old colt pockets $600,000 with the win and has total earnings of $708,591 with four wins in eight career starts.

Real Solution returned $18.80, $8.60 and $6.20. The Apache paid $7.80 and $5.60, and Side Glance paid $12.20 to show.

One race earlier in the $750,000 Beverly D Stakes, another "Win and You're In" event, European filly Dank came from just off the pace to win the 1 3/16-mile turf race.

Ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by Michael Stoute, Dank drove through the stretch to register a 4 1/4-length victory over Gifted Girl, also from Europe. Local winner Ausus finished third followed by Marketing Mix, La Tia, Solid Appeal, Duntle, Artemus Kitten and Starformer.

The time for the Beverly D. on a firm grass course was 1:53.38.

Owned by James Wigan, Dank banked $450,000 with the win. The 4-year-old has won six of her 11 career starts for $698,490.

The win gives Dank a guaranteed spot in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita on Friday, Nov. 1.

Dank paid $8.40, $5.60 and $4.20. Gifted Girl returned $13.40 and $8.20, and Ausus paid $8.00 to show.