Graded stakes plays for Million Preview Day at Arlington

A total of four black-type races, two of which are graded, will be contested on the lawn at Arlington Park on Saturday. I think the first of the duo is a fairly straightforward handicapping puzzle, while the latter is anything but simple and could yield a healthy return.

Race 6 -- Arlington S. (G3)

#2 Zulu Alpha (6-5), the 2020 Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) victor, is the clear one to beat in the field for Mike Maker. Son of Street Cry makes his season debut in a very reasonable spot, and the shape of the race will play to his strengths as well. The Arlington boasts numerous fleet runners that will establish quick splits, and Zulu Alpha will have no excuses at short odds even if he is not fully cranked. David Cabrera rides.

#5 Two Emmys (9-2) has strung together a handful of solid turf performances in succession and gets the nod to complete the exacta. The chestnut son of English Channel was a fine runner-up to Colonel Liam two prior, and I also liked his allowance second on the course most recently. Two of his better races have come at nine furlongs, so I think he'll prosper with the added distance on Saturday.

Wagers:

• $20 exacta 2 with 5 ($20)
• $1 trifecta 2,5 with 2,5 with all ($12)

Race 8 -- Modesty S. (G3)

The 1 3/16-mile affair for the ladies attracted a field of 12 in an especially wide-open contest. And I will dabble with a pair of price contenders.

I am willing to look past the last pair of races for #10 Russian Mafia (15-1). The Skipshot mare has performed well on the course, possesses a nice turn of foot, and I envision her enjoying the added ground on the stretch out from one mile as well.

I also expect a positive showing from Mike Maker’s #4 Enjoyitwhilewecan (8-1). Quality Road mare didn’t fire last time out, but the first four turf tries since being acquired by her current connections were excellent. The five-year-old doesn’t hook the deepest field for her stakes debut either.

Wagers

• $12 win and place #10 Russian Mafia ($24)
• $1 exacta 4,10 with all ($22)