Pachattack (far right) in action earlier this summer at Newcastle
PICTURE: John GrossickPachattack chases Beverly D for Butler
Preview: USA, Saturday 10.24pm BST
Arlington Park: Beverly D Stakes (Grade 1) 1m1½f, turf, 3yo+ f/m
TRAINER Gerard Butler is optimistic dual Listed-race winner Pachattack (Kieren Fallon) will be able to strike in Grade 1 company in Chicago on Saturday when she takes her place in an evenly matched field for the Beverly D.
Pre-race headlines for the $750,000 highlight of the Arlington Million undercard have largely focussed on two horses who won't be running.
Tuscan Evening, who would have been the certain favourite after a string of graded-stakes wins, suffered a fatal injury earlier this month, while former John Gosden-trained Rainbow View has been ruled out with a tendon injury.
In their absence, Butler is hopeful Pachattack can make her presence felt. "I'm hopeful of a very good run," he said.
"It's unfortunate what's happened to Rainbow View and Tuscan Evening but these things happen in racing. Let's hope we can take advantage of those fillies not being there.
"She's in very, very good shape and has taken to her new surroundings very well," added Butler. "The most important thing is she's eating well and drinking well. They're the most vital signs after travelling and her weight's good.
"We've got the top man on board and he's ridden her a few times in work. He hasn't had the chance to ride her in a race, but knows the filly well so we're hopeful on that front."
The Marquesa de Moratalla's Biased (Mikel Delzangles/Gregory Benoist) represents France, while William Buick, in town to ride Debussy in the Million, gets the leg-up on ex-South African Grade 3 Gypsy's Warning for US-based Graham Motion.
Bigger dangers lie in wait, however, headed by ex-Andre Fabre-trained Treat Gently (Bill Mott/Kent Desormeaux), who has followed the tried-and-tested Juddmonte path to the States, where she is looking to complete a graded-stakes hat-trick.
Ave (Roger Attfield/Ramon Dominguez), drawn on the outside, was a Group 3 winner in Ireland for former trainer Sir Michael Stoute.
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