By Stefanie Grimm
NEW KENT, VA–Not far from the Colonial Downs racetrack in southeastern Virginia, a sign on the interstate reads, 'Welcome to America's Historic Triangle'. The trio of Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg provide a gateway into American history from a time when the British ruled the American colonies. And while it's been a long time since Great Britain had success in this part of the country, Set Piece (GB) (Dansili {GB}) got them back on the board with a win in the GI Arlington Million.
In Virginia's first rendition of the 'Million', held under a scorching sun in front of the largest crowd ever assembled at Colonial Downs, the Juddmonte horse, under the expert guidance of Florent Geroux, took his time from the gate and eased into stride at the rear of the field. Early leader Strong Quality (Quality Road), with Kentucky Derby and Belmont S. winner Javier Castellano aboard, went out to assume command and had no trouble up front through fractions of :22.96 and :46.67. Set Piece was eased out up the backstretch and into the far turn, had to come widest of the frontrunners to get himself into striking position at the quarter pole, and closed determinedly past Santin (Distorted Humor) to nab the clear win. The final time of 1:58.19 was both a stakes and a track record for the 1 1/4 mile distance.
“You hate to be that far behind,” said Katie Tolbert, assistant to winning trainer Brad Cox. “But when you see fractions like that, and Florent knows him so well, it gives you a little confidence that he's gonna make sure to be there at the end.”
“It was great,” added Florent Geroux. “I thought it was going to be an expected pace and it obviously was not. But up the backside, I could see a lot of horses and how they were going and I thought we were going quick enough.”
Pedigree Note:
English-based Dansili is responsible for 90 graded/group winners across the globe. Set Piece, out of a winning Kingmambo mare, is a half to multiple stakes winner and GSP Alocasia (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in addition to six other winners. This is also the family of G1 Coral-Eclipse S. winner Elmaamul (Diesis {GB}), MG1SW Reams of Verse (Nureyev), MGSW Eagle Poise (Empire Maker), GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf victress Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Portodora is responsible for an unraced 3-year-old filly by Nathaniel (Ire) and last reported a yearling Kingman (GB) filly.
The 7-year-old #3 Set Piece powers down the stretch to take the G1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs with his regular pilot @flothejock aboard for trainer @bradcoxracing and owner @JuddmonteFarms! 🏆
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/ZAcn41kMvh
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 12, 2023
Saturday, Colonial Downs
ARLINGTON MILLION S.-GI, $1,000,000, Colonial Downs, 8-12, 3yo/up, 1 1/4mT, 1:58.19, fm.
1–SET PIECE (GB), 123, g, 7, by Dansili (GB)
1st Dam: Portodora, by Kingmambo
2nd Dam: High Walden, by El Gran Senor
3rd Dam: Modena, by Roberto
1ST GRADE I WIN. O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms (East) Ltd (GB); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Florent Geroux. $582,800. Lifetime Record: GSP-Eng, 29-13-2-3, $1,684,733. *1/2 to Alocasia (GB) (Kingman {GB}), MSW & MGSP-Fr, $120,792. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Santin, 123, h, 5, Distorted Humor–Sentiero Italia, by Medaglia d'Oro. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh. $188,000.
3–Adhamo (Ire), 123, h, 5, Intello (Ger)–Foreign Tune (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). (€250,000 3yo '21 ARARC). O-Madaket Stables LLC, Michael Dubb, Louis Lazzinnaro LLC and Michael J. Caruso; B-Wertheimer et Frere (IRE); T-Chad C. Brown. $94,000.
Margins: 2, HF, NK. Odds: 5.70, 7.00, 4.20.
Also Ran: Never Explain, Win for the Money, Rockemperor (Ire), Strong Quality, Catnip, Strong Tide, Master Piece (Chi), Atone.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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