The inaugural running of the Arlington Million, run at suburban Chicago's famous Arlington Park Racetrack, was held on August 30^th, 1981, and was won by that tough-as-old-boots gelding John Henry. With the passage of time, the meet has evolved into an international midsummer festival featuring three Grade 1 races, amply supported by a pair of Grade 3 events and an ordinary stakes, on a single afternoon. This year the carnival falls on Saturday, August 15^th.

Significant amounts of prize money added to the principal events have resulted in them drawing a fair number of international contenders, particularly for the four turf events. Despite its unusually long trip – for a race run in North America – the $350,000-added American St. Leger (Gr.3; 1-11/16 miles) at 3:42 p.m. local has drawn a good-sized field of 11, which includes Team Valor's Panama Hat (by Medicean) from Ireland. Regular rider Chris Hayes, well known in India, jets in to take the mount for trainer Andy Oliver.

The gelding will have to be at his best to account for The Pizza Man (by English Channel), last year's winner of this race who is 9-for-12 on his much-loved local track, and Germany's Lucky Speed (by Silvano), who between them seem to hold an edge on paper. The Pizza Man also holds an entry in the "Million" and the decision about where he will run has been left to a later date. Although winless for almost two years, and absent for all of 2014, Hyper (by Victory Gallop) cannot be ruled out altogether.

Just over half an hour later comes the first of three consecutive Grade 1s, the $450,000-added Secretariat Stakes (10 fur.) for three-year-olds. Ireland's Aidan O'Brien invariably fields a runner here, including last year when Adelaide (by Galileo) garnered the laurels. Incidentally, back in 2007, O'Brien had saddled the late and much-missed former Kunigal stallion, Admiralofthefleet (by Danehill), who ran fourth in that year's renewal. This year too Ireland's champion trainer has a prime candidate and that is Coolmore's Highland Reel (by Galileo). As Ryan Moore is out of action through injury and young Joseph O'Brien cannot make the weight, the capable Seamie Heffernan – who has ridden 8 winners in India – has been drafted for the ride.

Force The Pass (by Speightstown), coming off a facile victory in the Belmont Derby Invitational, stands squarely in the way, as does the hitherto-unbeaten Italian challenger, Goldstream (by Martino Alonso), last seen annexing the Derby Italiano in May. Joel Rosario is at the controls on the former, an inmate of schooler Alan Goldberg's barn, while the latter – now owned by Australian Bloodstock – has moved from Stefano Botti to trainer Andreas Wohler, with Brenton Avdulla assuming command in the saddle.

Fillies and mares command the limelight next in the $700,000-added Beverly D. Stakes (9-1/2 fur.), for which last year's winner, near-millionairess Euro Charline (by Myboycharlie), is perfectly poised to repeat. Like in 2014, Marco Botti's ward faces the same formidable rival in Stephanie's Kitten (by Kitten's Joy), whose career earnings of $2,757,104 dwarf those of the remaining 8 contenders put together (excluding, of course, Euro Charline). Jose Lezcano on the first-named will square off against rising star Irad Ortiz, Jr., on the late-running "Kitten".

Two daughters of pre-eminent sire Galileo, could add spice to the finish here. These are Qatar Racing's Secret Gesture, who is owned in partnership with breeder Newsells Park Stud, and Coolmore's Wedding Vow. Both will attempt to add further to their father's burgeoning scroll of honour with Jamie Spencer and Colm O'Donoghue, respectively, vying for honours. Finally, Dermot Weld is to be noted in every international race in which he has a presence and Carla Bianca (by Dansili) would not have made the trip unless her trainer fancied her chances. Retained rider Pat Smullen will continue to guide the Moyglare-owned homebred filly.

That brings us to the $1,000,000-added feature, the Arlington Million XXXIII (10 fur.), for which 13 will line up at 5:48 p.m. Central Time. Those who set the odds – a speculative venture, but nonetheless rarely very far from what the final figures will be once the money is "on" – feel that trainer Chad Brown holds the aces. He has favoured Big Blue Kitten (by Kitten's Joy) as the 3-1 morning-line favourite, accompanied by the second choice Slumber (by Cacique) at 7 to 2, and also rank outsider Shining Copper (by Aragorn) who will probably start at 30 to 1. As may be deduced, the last-named will be sent out to make the pace.

Godolphin/Darley will be hoping that at least one of the rich international prizes this year falls their way and have sent the much-improved Maverick Wave (by Elusive Quality) to bat for them. John Gosden's charge seems indifferent to the running surface, whether it be turf or All-Weather, and has won 3-from-4 this year. He will have William Buick donning the all-blue silks. Clarehaven Stable has been in great form this term and the chestnut colt should appreciate this opportunity to step up to the crease.

At his sole appearance since being moved from Andre Fabre's yard in France to Bill Mott's barn in the USA, the five-year-old Triple Threat (by Monsun) showed he is still a force to be reckoned with when nosing out his rivals in a Grade 2 event at Monmouth Park in June. Should he come on for that run – as indeed he should – he could surprise at around 6 to 1.

And then, of course, there could be The Pizza Man, mentioned earlier, although he would probably be better off trying to repeat in the American St. Leger. Excluding those named so far, it seems quite unlikely that any of the others could "pop up" suddenly to defeat the leading fancies.

Either way, a fascinating afternoon's sport is on the horizon and it's a pity for prospective viewers in India that it will all take place in the middle of the night….