Teleprompter Heads a Field of 14 in Arlington Million

England’s Teleprompter heads a 14-horse field announced Tuesday for the sixth running of the Budweiser-Arlington Million.

Teleprompter, the 1985 Million winner, will be back to try to become the first horse to gain back-to-back victories in the 1-mile turf race Aug. 31 at Arlington Park. The race carries a guaranteed purse of $1 million.

“I never saw a Million field that had such broad competition,” Arlington Park President Joseph F. Joyce said at a news conference.

There are seven horses from the United States, two from France, four from England and one from Ireland.

“If it lacks anything, it’s recognizable horses, and I think that’s because John Henry is not back,” Joyce said.

John Henry won the Million in 1981 and 1984.

In addition to Teleprompter, the field going after the Million’s $600,000 first prize includes three other English horses--Maysoon, Pennine Walk and Damister; Baillamont and Arokar from France; Ireland’s Theatrical; and seven U.S. entries--Al Mamoon, Alphabatim, Estrapade, Flying Pidgeon, Palace Music, Uptown Swell and Zoffany.

Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos owns Baillamont and his daughter, Maria, owns Pennine Walk.

Maysoon is owned by Sheik Maktoum al Maktoum, a member of the royal family of Dubai. Prince Khaled Abdulla of the Saudi Arabian royal family owns Damister and Alphabatim, and Prince Kais al Said, brother-in-law of the Sultan of Oman, owns Arokar.

Trainer Charlie Whittingham, 73, who handled 1982 Million winner Perrault and 1986 Kentucky Debry victor Ferdinand, saddles two 1986 entries, Estrapade and Palace Music.

Jockeys have not been announced yet.