Saturday at Arlington Park, the Grade 1 AP Million looked

much like a match race between Purple Ripple and Bronze

Sabre for most of the trip. The two were inseparable from

the moment the gates opened, running at first just behind

the 7 horse who led early, and then at the 1/2 mile pole,

Purple Ripple took the lead with Bronze Sabre running just

to his outside, with never more than a head between them.

At the wire, Purple Ripple was able to hold on to the lead

winning by a short head over Bronze Sabre.

Bronze Sabre was just never able to get out in front today,

but the six-year-old ran his heart out, once again turning in

a phenomenal performance. He has now finished in the money

in all 22 of his career starts.

Purple Ripple was unstoppable Saturday in the 1 1/4 turf race

and his AP Million win earned him a spot in the BC Turf Race,

run at 1 1/2 over the turf, which will be run at Churchill Downs,

this November. The win Saturday was the 2nd graded stakes

win in a row for Purple Ripple, who has really been on a tear

this year, winning several graded stakes on turf at all different

distances.

Trained by Angelos Stable, Purple Ripple is a four-year-old AG

gelding by HRP-In The Purple, and he ran the 1 1/4 over the firm

turf at Arlington Park in a final race time of 1:58.73. He earned

$600.000 for the win, which now gives him career earnings of

$1,761.070, and an impressive race record of 19-11-4-2.

Bronze Sabre finished 2nd, taking home $200.000 for trainer,

Maverick Racing, while Dense Turf, who is trained by Some

Devil Racing was 3rd, earning $160.000 for the show spot.

Official Order of Finish:

Scratched: Ram It

How The Race Was Run:

2   Purple Ripple: Won by a head. Was taken to the

     rail early and sent out with Bronze Sabre, where the

     two ran side by side, about 1/4 a length off leader, the

     7 horse. At 1/2 mile pole the two passed the 7 horse

     with Purple Ripple just a head in front of Bronze Sabre,

     and he held on to win at the wire by a head.

    -Purple Ripple ran a fantastic race here and beat one of

     the all time greats at HRP. He has been on a roll since

     turning 4, and he just keeps on improving. He looks like

     he could just now really be hitting his best stride, and the

     rising star is one to keep a close eye on in future races.

6   Bronze Sabre: Finished in 2nd, just a short head back

     from the winner. Went up early with Purple Ripple to run

     just off of the leader. At the 1/2 mile pole, the two passed

     the 7 horse who had the lead and Bronze Sabre ran just

     a head behind Purple Ripple all the way until the wire.

    -Bronze Sabre ran a great race as usual. His 2nd place

     finish means he still has 100% in the money finished,

     now having never been off the board in 22 career starts.

     Just could not get in front of Purple Ripple who was the

     better horse today. Finished strong, looking like he may

     even be able to go longer.

1   Dense Turf: Finished 3rd, two lengths behind the winner.

     Stayed on the rail and ran in 4th early, 1 1/2 lengths from

     the leader. Slipped to 5th around the 1/2 mile pole, but

     around the 3/4 mark, was able to rally and get up for 3rd

     at the wire.

    -Ran well to finish 3rd, Dense Turf, just could not gain any

     ground on the first two finishers. Finished running strong,

     and did not look tired, just outrun today. A great race for

     him.

4   Raise A Cowboy: Was 4th, four lengths behind winner.

     Taken back early to run about 2 1/2 lengths from the lead

     in 4th. Began to gain some ground around the 1/2 mile

     pole, but then fell back a bit. At the 3/4 mark he made

     another mild bid, and was able to take 3rd, before he

     tired after the mile pole and began to fade back to 4th,

     four lengths behind at the wire.

    -Ran well here, but the fast early pace just seemed to

     do him in. Made a couple of small runs, but simply

     looked flat here. Expect he may drop down in class

     a bit, where he had been doing great, and then try

     this level again later.

3   Bottom Line: Finished in 5th, six lengths from winner.

     Taken back early, where he trailed the field, running in

     6th, four lengths from the leader. Dropped back to trail

     by five, then at the 1/2 mile pole, came out 4 wide to

     go around horses in a big move. At 3/4 mile pole he

     passed a tiring 7 horse, bit then began to tire himself,

     and faded back six lengths at the wire.

    -Being taken back so far early may have hurt him here.

     The fast pace, and as far out as the front runners got,

     just left him too much ground to cover, and when he

     did start to make a run, he had to run so hard, he tired

     quickly.

7   Khe San Troop: Finished 6th, eleven lengths back

     from the winner. Was sent out fast early to lead, just

     1/4 a length in front over the 2 and 6 horses. Led until

     the 1/2 mile pole, when the two horses passed him,

     and by the 3/4 mile pole he was done. Tiring and then

     fading badly, all the way eleven lengths back.

    -As he has done in most his races, Khe San Troop

     went right to the lead and then tired to be passed.

     Just does not look like he is ready to be running at

     the graded stakes level at this point in his career.

     He has now not finished in the money since his last

     win, which came in March of 2010. Think he would

     do much better, dropping in class, and since he has

     repeatedly run like a sprinter, would likely benefit

     cutting back in distance to under a mile.