A PLAY WITHOUT PUNCH

River Jetez
(Photo : Stable Life)

THE BEVERLEY D AND THE ARLINGTON MILLION

Tonight marks the annual Equus Awards, a celebration of South Africa’s racing champions. One of our biggest winners, the world renowned trainer Mike de Kock, will be absent, away in Chicago for the running of the Beverly D. Stakes (Gr1), on the same card as the Arlington Million. Engaged for the de Kock stable is the evergreen mare, River Jetez, where the daughter of Jet Master is priced up as the 4-1 second favourite to Stacelita. There’s no knowing what shape a seven-year-old mare will be in, but if River Jetez is at her best, she’ll certainly frighten the likes of the favourite, and her other two principal opponents, Cheetah (9-2) and Fantasia (6-1).

In the Million field, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Cape Blanco (part owned by Summerhill clients, Jim and Fitri Hay) is the 9-5 chalk ahead of the outstanding American guard horse Gio Ponti. Riveting stuff, and two races right at the top of America’s best turf event.