Gio Ponti: finished second in last year's Arlington Million having won in 2009
PICTURE: Matt Wooley/EquiSport PhotosGio Ponti to face Cape Blanco again at Arlington
USA: Dual US turf champion Gio Ponti is likely to have the chance to exact revenge on his Man o'War conqueror Cape Blanco in next month's Arlington Million.
Gio Ponti was denied a hat-trick in Saturday's Man o'War Stakes at Belmont when he could finish only two and a quarter lengths behind the Ballydoyle visitor in the Grade 1.
Aidan O'Brien has already nominated the Arlington Million for Cape Blanco and Gio Ponti's trainerChristophe Clement is ready to take him on again in the August 13 contest.
Gio Ponti won the Chicago highlight in 2009 and was second 12 months ago, just getting caught by the John Gosden-trained Debussy.
"It's tough to pass on the Million - we won and finished second the last two years," Clement said.
"Yet again, it's a mile and a quarter, and yet again, you are subject to weather and luck, but that's the way it is. The fall is obvious - I will be in the Shadwell Turf Mile and the Breeders' Cup Mile.
"What do I do between now and then? At the moment, I will train him for the Million and we'll keep all of our options open.
"There is no doubt whenever you run Gio Ponti at a shorter distance you're less a victim of the pace [because] at a shorter distance you get more pace. His turn of foot is more efficient the more pace you've got."
Looking back at the Man o'War, Clement added: "I thought the horse ran a good race but he was second-best. I did think the Irish horse had everything his way, but we had the chance to get to him and we couldn't get to him in the stretch."
Bob Baffert's pair of Dudes, the Hollywood Gold Cup one-two First Dude and Game On Dude, are likely to clash again in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar on August 28.
Beaten Gold Cup favourite Twirling Candy, who was conceding weight to the first two, may also try his luck in the Del Mar showpiece.
This weekend's highlight in the States will be the latest clash between top fillies Havre De Grace and Blind Luck in the Delaware Handicap, for some reason only ranked as a Grade 2 event but worth $750,000.
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