ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (AP) -- Little Mike led from start to finish to win the 30th running of the Arlington Million on Saturday.
Britain's Afsare closed fast, but finished 1 1/2 lengths back in second. Rahystrada and Colombian tied for third.
Ramon Dominguez steered Little Mike right to the lead from the No. 4 post position in the 11-horse race at Arlington Park.
''He was running very comfortable,'' Dominguez said. ''Turning for home, when I decided to let him run, he beautifully started opening up.''
Little Mike is owned by Priscilla Vaccarezza and trained by Dale L. Romans. He ran 1 1/4 miles on turf in 2 minutes, 2.44 seconds and paid $9.80, $5.60 and $4.40. The gelding has now won six of his nine starts since joining Romans' barn.
''I felt good about him,'' Romans said. ''He's training so well. His two best races were a mile and 1/8 and nobody thought he could do a mile and 1/8.''
Afsare, ridden by Kieren Fallon, was antsy just before post position time, rearing up at one point and knocking over a side rail near the gate. Afsare eventually settled down and showed his speed while returning $6.60 and $4.80.
''His antics didn't cost him,'' Fallon said. ''He just acts like a spoiled child sometimes and didn't want the gate.''
Rahystrada, with Julien Leparoux on board, paid $4.40, and Colombian, with William T. Buick in the saddle, paid $3.80.
Irish-bred favorite Crackerjack King was near the front at the head of the stretch, but settled for fifth. The race featured five European-bred horses.
Two other Grade I races were contested on the turf at Arlington Park on Saturday.
I'm A Dreamer held off late charging Marketing Mix to win by a head in the $750,000 Beverly D. Britain's Joviality was third in the 1 3/16 mile race.
I'm A Dreamer was in fifth approaching the stretch, while Marketing Mix was in sixth, but both horses charged to the front, with I'm a Dreamer hanging on for the victory.
Favorite Aruna was last in the 10-horse field.
I'm A Dreamer paid $14.60, $7.40, $4.40. Marketing Mix returned $4.60 and $3.40, while Joviality paid $5.
French-bred Bayrir won the $500,000 Secretariat Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths over Finnegans Wake. Summer Front was in front at the head of the stretch, but finished third.
Ridden by Christophe Lemaire, Bayrir paid $8.40, $4.80, $3.60. Finnegans Wake paid $6.40, $3.60 and Summer Front returned $3.40 to show. The favorite, Silver Max, finished fifth.
''When I put him out, he reacted very well,'' Lemaire said. ''He's a very clever horse.''
