August 20 - On Saturday horse racing fans at Arlington Park in Chicago have an action-packed card to look forward to including the Secretariat Stakes (Gr 1), the Beverly D. Stakes (Gr 1) and of course the day's feature, the Arlington Million Stakes (Gr 1).

And the runner highly favoured to win the $1 million Arlington is 5-year-old speedster Gio Ponti, who'll start the 1 1/4 mile turf race under top jockey Ramon Dominguez from post 6 tomorrow. He'll be going up against nine other three-year-olds and upward.

If Gio Ponti can repeat his epic run in the Man o' War Stakes (Gr 1) last month, he should have the Arlington Million sewn up. Said his trainer Christophe Clement, 'It [Man o' War Stakes] was an amazing race. It took an amazing horse to win from where he was.'

Clement was referring to how Gio Ponti accelerated in the late stages of the Man o' War to overtake pacesetter Mission Approved, covering the final three furlongs in a blistering 33 seconds. His win in that race will ensure he will be well-backed tomorrow.

And if he chalks up a victory in the Arlington Million Stakes, Gio Ponti will become the first thoroughbred in the race's 20-year history to achieve back-to-back wins. But first he'll have to overcome some stiff competition including some talented Kentucky-breds.

One of which is 7-year-old horse Just As Well, who is expected to start as the second favourite with Julien Leparoux aboard. Owned and trained by Jonathan Sheppard, Just As Well finished second to Gio Ponti in last year's Arlington Million and is in good form.

Also starting tomorrow are two English runners, 6-year-old gelding Tazeez and 4-year-old colt Debussy. Both hail from the stable of respected English trainer, John Gosden. Tazeez should be the stronger of the two who shown tactical speed in previous outings.

Here is the complete field and odds for the 2010 Arlington Million Stakes at Arlington Park on Saturday:

Marsh Side (KY) 12/1
Debussy (IRE) 12/1
General Quarters (KY) 8/1
Just as Well (KY) 5/1
Quite a Handful (KY) 30/1
Gio Ponti (KY) 7/5
Rahystrada (KY) 10/1
Tajaaweed (KY) 15/1
Tazeez (KY) 6/1
Summit Surge (IRE) 10/1