2019 Arlington Million international scouting reports: Magic Wand, Hunting Horn, Intellogent, Pivoine

Four European shippers are entered in the Arlington Million (G1)

  Four European shippers are entered in Saturday’s 37th running of the Arlington Million (G1) – Aidan O’Brien’s Magic Wand, who is cross-entered to the Beverly D. (G1), and stablemate Hunting Horn; Intellogent from France; and British-based Pivoine. While Intellogent and Pivoine are venturing abroad for the first time, the O’Brien entrants are familiar to fans on this side of the pond. Magic Wand is on her fourth transatlantic mission and Hunting Horn on his sixth. Before diving into the details, an historical note. Internationals had more success in the first decade or so of this millennium, winning six Millions between 2001-13. That tally arguably should have been eight, if not for the disqualifications of Powerscourt (2004) and The Apache (2013). Powerscourt gained revenge in 2005, giving O’Brien his first of two Millions, followed by Cape Blanco (2011). The trend has reversed in the past five editions, with four American-based winners and only British shipper Mondialiste (2016) intervening. REILLY: 2019 Beverly D. international scouting reports: Magic Wand, Fleeting, Awesometank

MAGIC WAND and HUNTING HORN

Ryan Moore is named to ride Hunting Horn, and Wayne Lordan is listed aboard Magic Wand in both the Million and Beverly D. With plans to be determined for Magic Wand, we’ll treat the Ballydoyle pair together since their races overlap. And even if she does opt for the Beverly D., the unified treatment also offers more context for Hunting Horn. We’ll concentrate on their efforts this campaign considering they’ve been covered in this space previously (see links to past scouting reports). Magic Wand was the subject of scouting reports ahead of her fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) and in advance of her second in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) to Million favorite Bricks and Mortar, both on rain-affected ground that didn’t play to her strengths. A favorable forecast in Chicago is essential for the Galileo filly to have any chance to turn the tables.

Hunting Horn, a Camelot colt and “nephew” of High Chaparral, was also covered in scouting reports last summer prior to his third in the Belmont Derby Invitational (G1) and his flop at this track and trip in the Secretariat (G1), where he succumbed to a pace battle from an outside post. He was included in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) scouting report as well, but unsurprisingly was no match for Enable while serving as stablemate Magical’s wingman. Hunting Horn made the trek to Gulfstream with Magic Wand for Pegasus World Cup Day, but ran in the W.L. McKnight (G3) on the undercard, endured a checkered passage, and showed belated interest in third. Unlike Magic Wand who wasn’t seen again until Dubai World Cup night, Hunting Horn shipped to Qatar in February for the H.H. The Amir Trophy and placed third. That form isn’t the deepest but at least the victorious French King has come back to take a pair of German Group 2s. Hunting Horn and Magic Wand were reunited in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), and neither delivered their best in a race where O’Brien tends to underperform. Magic Wand faded tamely in fifth, edged by Hunting Horn in the photo for fourth. Both were back on form, however, in the May 11 Man o’ War (G1) at Belmont. Pacemaker Hunting Horn nearly pulled off the coup until compounding in the 11th furlong. He could be dangerous if adopting the same brazen tactic going a furlong shorter here, although Bandua might not let him get away. Magic Wand rallied for a close third, finally finding firm ground stateside. Still, the bare form with Channel Maker and Arklow indicates she needs to find more versus the leading U.S. turf male.