Tipsheet: 2026 Arlington Million
Burnham Square wins the Blue Grass. (Photo by Coady Media)
July 30th, 2026
An excellent cast of eight grass standouts will run 1 1/4 miles over the lawn at Colonial Downs in Saturday’s historic, $1 million Arlington Million (G1).
Arlington Million Picks
- #5 Burnham Square
- #6 Test Score
- #1 Dresden Row
- #4 Integration
Arlington Million Wagers
- $20 win #5 Burnham Square
- $10 exacta box 5-6
- $1 superfecta 5,6 with 5,6 with 1,4 with all
Arlington Million Contenders
#1 DRESDEN ROW (7-2): Pletcher pupil has run a trio of very good races on the grass since joining this outfit for 2026 and rates a chance from the rail today. The son of Lord Nelson was a closing third in the Wise Dan (G2) at Churchill Downs at 1 1/16 miles most recently, and he might love the move to 10 furlongs for the first time with Tyler Gaffalione riding.
#2 LAYABOUT (20-1): Grade-3 winning son of Laoban didn’t fire his best shot last time out in Florida, but he preceded that effort with a pair of big runs marathoning on the grass for Patrick Biancone. The four-year-old gelding has early foot and might be the pacesetter in the feature beneath Keith Asmussen.
#3 FORT WASHINGTON (5-1): Defending champ from the McGaughey shedrow ran evenly late in the Wise Dan in his latest appearance and will appreciate the extended distance in his third run off the shelf. The first of two for this outfit will be doing his best work late from off the pace under Javier Castellano.
#4 INTEGRATION (4-1): Quality Road six-year-old was a nice third as the choice in the race in 2025 and will not need major improvement to beat this field for McGaughey. The Kentucky-bred six-year-old sports a strong 5-3-1-1 mark on this course and comes in off of a nice effort in the deep Manhattan (G1) at Aqueduct last time out. Regular rider John Velazquez will take the reins once again.
#5 BURNHAM SQUARE (5-2): Ian Wilkes trainee rides in on a three-race win streak and has really taken the next step since focusing on the lawn in advance of this one. The Grade-1 winning son of Liam’s Map will cut back to 1 1/4 miles in the tilt, but his form on the sod is too good to go against him in his local debut. Brian Hernandez, Jr. will ride the potent late runner.
#6 TEST SCORE (9-2): Two-time Grade 1 hero rallied to be a very good runner-up in the Manhattan (G1) in his latest showing and looms large with a forward move in his third off the shelf. The Lookin at Lucky colt was not slowing down at a trip similar to this most recently, and his versatile running style will be a benefit to him on Saturday. The homebred will never be far from the early tempo with Manny Franco in the stirrups.
#7 MERCANTE (12-1): Hard-trying son of Gun Runner is a question mark at the distance, but he was a game second to Lagynos last time in the Wise Dan and has appeal as an exotics type in this spot. The six-year-old gelding has the natural speed to be close from the start and will be right there as the field turns for home beneath Florent Geroux.
#8 GRAN ORIENTE (10-1): Saffie Joseph's charge has won three straight and four of his last five in preparation for his biggest assignment of the season. The dark bay five-year-old is a Group 1 victor at the distance and could be in the mix for a share late with improvement while stretching out in distance in the deep cast. Paco Lopez inherits the mount.
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