Mister D. Stakes Predictions, Odds & Picks (Arlington Park)

Mister D. Stakes Post Position and Odds

Check out our predictions and odds for the Mister D. Stakes at Arlington Park!

America’s current turf kingpin Domestic Spending tops a field of 10 older males entered for the Grade 1 Mister D. Stakes, formerly known as the Arlington Million, on Saturday at Arlington Park.

A winner of a 6-of-7 lifetime, Domestic Spending should be a heavy favorite as he looks to run his winning streak to five. Trained by Chad Brown, who has won the last three editions of the Arlington Million, the son of Kingman has won each of his two starts this year, both of which were Grade 1 affairs. Last out, he romped home much the best in the $750,000 Manhattan at Belmont Park.

Chief among his rivals will be the Aiden O’Brien-trained Armory. A winner of the Group 2 Huxley Stakes in May, the 4-year-old Galileo colt has kept top company throughout his career and comes in off a fourth-place finish last time in the Group 2 York Stakes. Last year he traveled to Australia and ran a good second in the prestigious Cox Plate.

Others of interest in the 1 ¼ mile Mister D include the Grade 1 winning veteran Zulu Alpha, as well as Bizzee Channel, who won the local prep for this four weeks ago.

Best Bets for the Mister D. Stakes

Here are my plays ($40 in total)

$10 Trifecta Part Wheel – Domestic Spending and Armory over Domestic Spending and Armory over Bizzee Channel and Big Dreaming  = $40

Top Pick:

Armory (4/1)

How to Watch the Mister D. Stakes

Race Analysis

Domestic Spending

After his Manhattan score, it’s hard to argue against this streaking son of Kingman as the best turf horse in the United States. He will look to defend that turf when he heads out to Suburban Chicago for Saturday’s Mister D. Perhaps a slow pace will stunt his rally just a bit, or maybe in the Aiden O’Brien invader, he will find a horse of similar class to himself. Still, when handicapping this race, it’s difficult to start anywhere but here. He’s obviously the horse to beat, but the odds will be low. I will take a small shot to beat him, but keeping him off the tickets seems like a mistake I am not willing to make.

Armory

If anyone can slow down the Domestic Spending express on Saturday, this looks to be the one. He has faced nothing but good horses from the beginning and has usually been right there. In fact, overall, this could be a step down in class from what he has seen in Europe of late. I like the fact that he has already traveled well, running a big race down under to close out last season. He’ll add Lasix for the first time and the 10 furlong trip of the Mister D. also seems to be right up his alley. I am not saying Domestic Spending is going to lose, but if anyone can step up and grab the win from him, I believe it is very likely that this Irish-bred will be the one to do it.

Zulu Alpha

Now eight, it remains to be seen whether this millionaire is still the horse he once was. Better than ever early last year, his final race of the season was a little disappointing and then his return from the layoff last month was worse than that. If he can move forward, he is a legitimate threat, but as the third choice, I am not going to jump to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Bizzee Channel

While Zulu Alpha fizzled last time in the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap, this son of the English Channel stepped up and earned his most important victory yet. Clearly, on the rise at the age of 5, you can argue that his last three races are the best three performances of his career. He also likes Arlington and has good speed in a race without much. Obviously, this will be his toughest test yet, but after the top two, he looks like the horse in form, and the one most likely to get a decent piece of the pie.

Two Emmys

This son of English Channel has also turned up his career in his most recent three starts. He also has enough tactical speed to be there early. He gave Bizzee Channel everything he wanted in the local prep, but after two straight defeats to that one, it’s questionable that he can turn the tables in try number three. If you are looking for a long shot to throw in underneath in the exotics, it’s certainly reasonable to give this one a long look.

Space Traveler

The other European invader has been a miler during his career, but like Armory, he has raced against some strong company overseas. His fortune has been far less consistent, though, and given that he is trying to stretch out in a tough spot, it would seem that he is far less likely of the pair to run a big race on Saturday. Still, on class alone, he merits consideration as a possible long shot to hit the board.

Glynn County

There are signs that this 4-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy is improving with age for trainer Mike Maker. He tried Grade 1 company last time in the United Nations at Monmouth Park, and the result was decent. This only looks tougher, though, and that coupled with the cut back in distance against a likely slow pace, leaves this late runner at a distinct disadvantage. He is a horse I will be watching in the future with a better race set-up.

Big Dreaming

Of the big long shots, this son of the Declaration of War is the one I find most interesting. Granted, he has never before run in a graded stakes race before, but I liked the direction he was heading last season for trainer Wayne Catalano, which included a good second in the Dueling Grounds Derby. Coming off a win at Ellis Park, he looks like he is rounding back into form for this big one. It’s a big jump up in class, but I think he could be a board hitter at very attractive odds.

Another Mystery

This well traveled 5-year-old has thrown in a few good performances, like his third behind United last year in the Grade 2 John Henry, but overall there is just enough there in his 2-for-15 turf record to get excited about his chances against this field. He was third behind Bizzee Channel and Two Emmys last time and I do not see a strong reason why he would turn the tables on Saturday.

Strong Tide

I like his 4-for-12 record on the grass, but of course, those wins came against far cheaper. I don’t particularly care for the way he has been bounced around of late — two miles at Belmont Park, and then 8 1/2 furlongs at Indiana Grand — It seems like they are grasping for straws a bit. Perhaps he can show some speed from the inside on Saturday, but overall, I can’t get behind his chances against Domestic Spending and the rest.