Arlington Million Draws Field of 7

Seven horses, including four short-priced invaders from Southern California, were entered Wednesday for the 18th running of the Arlington Million, which will be breaking a money barrier for the second time.

This year’s Million, which will be run Saturday, is worth $2 million, making it the richest North American stake other than a Breeders’ Cup race. When John Henry won the first Million, in 1981, it was the only million-dollar race in the United States, and until the Hollywood Futurity of 1983, the Arlington race was still the only $1 million stake on the map.

The four Southern California runners in the 1 1/4-mile grass race are the well-traveled Manndar, who is the 5-2 favorite on the morning line; Bienamado, who is coming off two victories, one in the Sunset Handicap, at Hollywood Park; Chester House, the runner-up to Ladies Din in the Eddie Read Handicap at Del Mar; and Asidero, an Argentine standout who was a convincing winner last month at Hollywood.

The others in the field, which is the smallest ever for the Million, are the French import Slickly, who represents Sheik Mohammed’s Godolphin Racing stable; the globe-trotting Running Stag; and yet another West Coast shipper, Northern California’s Mula Gula.

Asidero, who’ll be ridden by Alex Solis, drew the inside post position and was installed at 5-1 on the morning line. Completing the gate lineup next to him will be Chester House, with Jerry Bailey riding, at 4-1; Slickly, Frankie Dettori, 7-2; Manndar, Corey Nakatani, 5-2; Bienamado, Kent Desormeaux, 3-1; Running Stag, Shane Sellers, 12-1; and Mula Gula, Mark Guidry, 12-1.