Are you ready for Preview Day? I am!

About 8 weeks ago Racing 411 with Brian W. Spencer

Saturday here at Arlington we'll host Million Preview Day which includes the running of three graded stakes races designed as final preps for their respective Grade I races on Arlington Million Day.

If I had to sum up Saturday's race card in one word? WOW!

All three races are excellent and very inviting betting events. My guess is we'll see several of these runners coming back on Million Day, win or lose. Join Chicago area jack-of-all-racing-trades Joe Kristufek and myself Friday night at Horseplayernow.com at 8pm CDT for an hour-long Preview Day preview chat. Bring any questions you've got about the runners or the races, and most importantly, bring your opinions on the big events.

Just some quick thoughts on the races, to keep it as short as possible. I'd LOVE to know who you like!

RACE 7: THE MODESTY HANDICAP (GRADE III)

TUSCAN EVENING has rattled off 5 graded stakes wins in a row, but outside of having beaten one-time Breeders' Cup Champ Forever Together, I'm not sure that she's faced a group like this yet this year...that said, she has a big tactical advantage in here thanks to her early speed. HOT CHA CHA loves this course and beat two tough gals last time out, while RAINBOW VIEW is also a Group I winner and figures tough. ASKBUT I WON'TTELL is one of my personal favorites and can rebound for a small share.

RACE 8: THE ARLINGTON DERBY (GRADE II)

WORKING FOR HOPS was not embarrassed last out by Paddy O'Prado (who would be even money here if he showed up), he won convincingly over this course two starts back, and figures to sit a perfect trip. ASPHALT always seems on the verge of becoming something special...but he's looked that way for eight months now, so it's time to put up or, you know. MARCELLO has run well on the grass in the past and should be a big price, while GLEAM OF HOPE responded like a totally different animal when fitted with blinkers last time out -- maybe he can turn the tables on 'HOPS? MISTER MARTI GRAS ran a huge race to win a listed stakes race in Indiana last out, but got a wicked pace to kick at...something he's unlikely to find again today.

RACE 9: THE ARLINGTON HANDICAP (GRADE III)

JUST AS WELL is back and looks dangerous while trying to get his first win of 2010, but may be a bit overbet vis a vis his real chance of winning this race. I like RAHYSTRADA quite a bit. He's come a long way in the past year, and his last race is better than it looks. He was unwilling to split horses late in the Pimlico stretch and once a spot opened, he was done running. He's better than that, but does he really want 10 furlongs? MARSH SIDE needs to return to his best, but would likely win this if he did, while GENERAL QUARTERS is as versatile as he is gritty and came to life on the grass two back. My longshot play in this spot, however, is the outside runner -- TAJAAWEED. He was awesome winning here two races back and has lots of excuses for that flop at Churchill. He's a Group III winner at this distance in Europe and is likely to go overlooked on the board.

Be sure to check out Arlington's video page for a back-and-forth between Joe and me about each of the three races. They should be posted later this afternoon!