The turf course started the day "yielding" but well before first post was upgraded to "good," which was not surprising since yielding seemed unlikely given no rain since Wednesday night and the heavy precip way back late Tuesday afternoon. There are two turf courses in use to day: The inner, lane 1, which is for the non-G1 stakes, and the outer lane 5 course used for the Secretariat, Beverly D., and Million, races 7,8,9 respectively. 

The Arlington Polytrack has carried speed much of this meet but off-pace types had a very fair go of things Friday and I'll treat the main track as far today until shown otherwise.

Race 1 - There's a pick four starting with the lid-lifter but I'm not getting involved. If I were playing I wouldn't be looking beyond the obvious favorites here.

Race 2 - No strong knowledge about these 2yo MSWs but Drilliant (#1) was said by his trainer not to be especially likely to win his debut, though he does have some talent. W W Springtime (#3), however, appears to be a different case and likely is well meant if good enough. 

Race 3 - Everyone thinks Duchossois (#8) was intended all along for his career debut on Million Day given he's named for the longtime Arlington chairman. But trainer Roger Brueggeman said that's just not the case. The late-debuting 3yo was initially aimed at a race a couple weeks ago but Brueggeman said he elected to work the colt a couple more times. He's just not sure how he's going to run. There's talent inside but Brueggeman said Duchossois alternates good works with average ones to the extent he's not sure what kind of race he'll produce.

Race 4 - Imposing Will (#7) is facing competition today that in my mind is much softer than will apparent to the average player based just on class levels. The move into a more pliable group appears to be coming as he's on a bit of a form surge which is why I made him the day's best bet.

Race 5 - Many, many options in a full field of 2yo MSWs. I guessed More Than Gracious (#10) might be the right one but would hope for something higher than the listed odds. 

Race 8 - Yes - we skipped races 6 & 7, which don't really belong in the middle of a card like this. Start the late pick five here. Tough, tough race. I trust no one and will be using all of them in some form. Still working out who the As will be.

Race 9 - They were hoping for fast ground with Platinum Warrior (#2) and didn't get it, so I'm downgrading to a B or C. I have to cover Bandua (#3) as a C at his price. In fact, there could be several Cs. Analyze It (#9) and Hunting Horn (#13), though the two shortest prices, will be As for me.

Race 10 - Wagering-wise would prefer to see Dona Bruja (#4) or Fourstar Crook (#7) win but also have to include Sistercharlie (#3) and Athena (#9) in the Bev D.

Race 11 - Spring Quality (#2) and Divisidero (#4) are scratched. In the pick four and pick five I have a hard time separating Almanaar (#2), Robert Bruce (#10), and Oscar Performance (#11). I'd be shading against Oscar Performance were he not likely to get a very favorable forward trip. And the course might be exactly as the connections of Century Dream (#5) would have ordered, and this improved 4yo might be good enough to capitalize. 

Race 12 - Let me say who I'm not using in the Pucker Up, end of all the late pick ns. Diamondcoat (#5) is scratched. No Princess Warrior (#2), No Madam Milan (#7), no Deadline (#8), no In the Mood (#9). The As are A. A. Azula's Arch (#6), Secret Message (#10), and Beyond Blame (#13).

Updates throughout the day in this space.