DEL MAR : Simulcast of the Arlington Million Headlines a Busy Holiday Weekend

There is plenty of money on the line during the long weekend here.

Bayakoa and friends will go for $150,000-plus in the Chula Vista Handicap. Seven 2-year-old fillies are shooting for nearly $300,000 in Sunday’s Del Mar Debutante and a full field will chase more than $300,000 in the Del Mar Handicap Monday.

Still, the best race anyone will see here in the next three days won’t be run here.

The Arlington Million, which will be simulcast locally between the second and third races Sunday, may be lacking in European invaders, but it has attracted 11 well matched grass specialists. Clearly, a strong case can be made for several of the contestants in the 1 1/4-mile event.

Steinlen, the defending champion and the 1989 Eclipse Award winner as the nation’s top grass horse, is the probable favorite. If Wayne Lukas’ 7-year-old Habitat horse follows his recent pattern, he should be very tough Sunday. He’s been following his losses with wins lately and Steinlen was upset in the Bernard Baruch last month at Saratoga.

Earlier, he won the Hollywood Turf Handicap after having been defeated in the John Henry, then he took the Caesars International in New Jersey after a loss in the American at Hollywood Park.

Each of the participants will carry 126 pounds, meaning Steinlen won’t be giving away any weight, and, of course, he has shown he can handle the course. He has tactical speed and horses that have laid close have dominated the first nine Millions.

Prized, unbeaten in three turf starts--wins in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, Arcadia Handicap and San Luis Rey Stakes--will be racing for the first time since March 25. Beset by foot problems, the son of Kris S. has demonstrated he can fire fresh--he won the Arcadia after being away for about five months--and his recent workouts, although not fast, have been good.

“Right now, he’s as good as he’s ever been physically,” said Jeff Siegel, vice president in charge of racing for Clover Racing Stable, which owns the 4-year-old in partnership with Meadowbrook Farm and others. “He’s probably as healthy as he’s ever been. He worked a mile in 1:38 (on Aug. 17) and looked great. The question is whether he’s fit enough to beat horses like this going 1 1/4 miles.

“He’s a hard horse to gauge, but (trainer) Neil (Drysdale) said he’s a horse who can train lightly. He gets a lot out of his gallops. I think he’s a lot closer to being fit than he isn’t. I think he’s ready to run his race.”

Classic Fame, who was second to longshot Fly Till Dawn in the Eddie Read Handicap three weeks ago, had an excuse. Two days afterward, an abscess was discovered in a foot.

“We cut it out and it’s fine now,” said trainer Gary Jones.

The Nijinsky II colt has already shown his quality. He beat Steinlen in the American.

Although Golden Pheasant has disappointed in his last two starts after having been impressive in his first two outings in this country, he could be a Million factor.

When he was third in the Eddie Read, the roan son of Caro hadn’t been out since late May. Charlie Whittingham has already won the race with a horse who was third in the Read, Perrault in 1982.

Also hard to discount is With Approval, Canada’s pride and joy. He has found a home on grass, winning seven of eight and earning more than $1.5 million.

The other scheduled starters are Alwuhush, who has yet to match his impressive victory in last fall’s Carleton F. Burke at Santa Anita; El Senor, Ten Keys, Saratoga Passage, Pleasant Variety, who recently won the Arlington Handicap over the course, and Double Booked.

With her connections having chosen to stay home rather than go to New York for Sunday’s Maskette Mile, Bayakoa will be a very heavy favorite to win the $150,000-added Chula Vista Handicap today.

Upset by Quiet American in the San Diego Handicap on Aug. 4, Bayakoa will be spotting her six rivals 13-17 pounds while carrying 127, but she should collect another victory.

The 6-year-old mare doesn’t have fond memories of the Chula Vista. The prohibitive favorite a year ago, she finished last.

If there is to be another upset, Fantastic Look appears the most likely candidate. Although her rider, Chris McCarron, won’t be able to make 112 pounds--her Chula Vista assignment--she’ll be getting a lot of weight from Bayakoa.

Plus, she gave the Eclipse Award winner something of a scare in the Milady. She led most of the way, before succumbing in the final furlong.

Her trainer, Gary Jones, will also send out Formidable Lady. Patches, Estrella Fuega, Seville and Rosadora complete the field.

Rally Run, a maiden running his third race, beat favored Got To Fly in winning the $80,475 Graduation Stakes Friday.

The 2-year-old Dixieland Band colt sat second to pacesetter Ten D.J.’s Jammin early, then out-battled the 8-5 choice the length of the stretch and won by a length in 1:09 3/5 for the six furlongs.

Trained by Wayne Lukas and ridden by Julio Garcia, Rally Run paid $7.40 to win and earned $46,725 for his owners Lukas and Overbrook Farm.

Horse Racing Notes

Lite Light, who won the Sorrento Stakes at seven furlongs, is the likely choice in Sunday’s $290,400 Del Mar Debutante at one mile. The other entrants are Alyfair, who will wear blinkers for the first time; Beyond Perfection, the beaten favorite in the Sorrento; Nice Assay, Brazen and Title Bought and Gold Fleece, who both have victories at the distance. Brazen and Beyond Perfection were both supplemented for $10,000.

Gary Stevens, who suffered some bruises after being dumped by Interflip at the start of Thursday’s first race, returned Friday and won four times, scoring three of the victories on longshots. He won the first with 9-1 J.D.’s Love, the fourth with 9-1 Sonnys Rainbow and the fifth on 12-1 Irontree. He completed his quadruple aboard 3-2 choice Earth Angel in the seventh.