With startling ease, Bricks and Mortar won the 37th Arlington Million. Yet somehow trainer Chad Brown managed to steal the limelight from his top horse by sweeping the final four races on the Arlington card.
Brown is also the winning conditioner of the first place finishers in both the Beverly D — Sistercharlie — and the Secretariat Stakes — Valid Point — on the Million undercard. For good measure, one of his horses also won the final event on the day, finishing a takedown of the last four races.
Chad Brown’s Pick Four
Here’s the details of Brown’s four bagger:
Race 9—Beverly D Stakes—$600,000—Sistercharlie—$2.80-$2.40-$2.10
Race 10—Secretariat Stakes—$500,000—Valid Point—$7.20-$4.60-$4.00
Race 11—Arlington Million—$1 million—Bricks and Mortar—$3.00-$2.40-$2.10
Race 12—Pucker Up Stakes—$100,000—Cafe Americano—$7.40-$4.80-$3.20
Bricks and Mortar’s race record shows he’s banked nearly $5 million in his career with 10 wins in 12 lifetime starts. That includes five in a row since December of 2018. Before that, he had been sidelined with an injury and un-raced since October of 2017. The Arlington Million is also a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In”  event. His connections are receiving a free $100,000 guaranteed entry into the Breeders’ Cup. Santa Anita hosts the event  Nov. 1 and 2. Free shipping is part of the package, too.
Bricks and Mortar Leads Parade on Arlington Turf Course
Bettors picking all four winners in the all-stakes, all turf, all Chad Brown Pick Four cashed. But, only getting back a paltry $27.50 for each $.50 bet.
Sent off as the prohibitive 1/2 favorite, Bricks and Mortar was unhurried from the number three starting stall, soon settling mid-pack. Casually tracking the leaders, longshot Bandua and the lone filly Magic Wand, to post the decisive victory. Bricks and Mortar always appeared quite comfortable on the Arlington’s pristine grass course — vacating his cozy rail position mid stretch, producing his usual quick turn of foot then edging clear easily under extremely light urging by jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. Magic Wand crossed the finish line second and Bandua third.
Brown, 41, broke into the business under Hall-of-Fame trainers Shug McGuaghey and Bobby Frankel. He conditioned his first Breeders’ Cup winner at 26. In 2019 alone he’s won 129 of 481 starts, amassing an astounding $17,869,471 in purses. In his career, he’s won $166,456,780. Right now, fans generally regard Brown as the US’s finest grass trainer.
For his complete statistics, click here.
Gaming Expansion Key to Brighter Future for Illinois Racing
No horse has ever won this race in two consecutive years. Last year’s winner Robert Bruce produced a good effort this year, finishing fourth. He also runs for Brown barn.
Arlington and its signature race are expected to benefit from the massive gambling expansion soon to begin in Illinois The expansion will allow the track to offer slot machines, casino games and sports betting. The equine sport has been in a protracted decline as previous gambling expansion in the state has consistently left its racetracks out.
The Arlington Million is North America’s first seven-figure Thoroughbred horse race. Despite a meager purse compared to other big money turf races worldwide including the newly announced Saudi Cup, the race retains its place of importance with thoroughbred racing fans. The race’s reputation continues to be burnished by its first running in 1981 where John Henry nosed out The Bart.
A larger than life statue of the stirring John Henry/The Bart finish is on display in the Arlington paddock.
To review the official race chart for the 37th Arlington Million, click here.