‘Stag May Be One in a Million

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — Although Running Stag has won only one of 19 starts on grass, his trainer, Phil Mitchell, is optimistic going into today’s $2-million Arlington Million.

“That race he ran in Hong Kong [late last year] was very good,” Mitchell said. “He got the lead on Jim And Tonic, but then couldn’t hold him off.”

Running Stag, 12-1 on the morning line at Arlington International Racecourse, was second in the Hong Kong Cup, which was his last start on grass. Overall, Running Stag has won seven times in 39 tries and earned $1.6 million.

The forecast is for 70-degree temperatures and sunshine, but the rain that fell Wednesday and Thursday may leave the course soft for the 1 1/4-mile race. Such going might help Slickly, who ran second last year to Dubai Millennium on soft turf in France.

Manndar is the 5-2 favorite, with Bienamado next at 3-1. This is the field, in post-position order: Asidero, Chester House, Slickly, Manndar, Bienamado, Running Stag and Mula Gula. They’ll all carry 126 pounds.