Dear Doctor Scores Upset in Million

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. —  Dear Doctor outdueled Sky Classic and Golden Pheasant in the stretch to win the Arlington Million by a head Sunday.

Favored Sky Classic, whose four-stakes winning streak ended, finished a neck in front of Southland-based Golden Pheasant, who won the Million in 1990.

Ridden by Cash Asmussen, Dear Doctor, a 5-year-old French-bred, carried 126 pounds over the 1 1/4-mile on a firm turf course in 1:59 4/5. It was the fourth fastest of 12 Arlington Millions.

Dear Doctor’s winning payoff of $29.80 was also the fourth highest for the Million. His place and show returns were $10.60 and $6.80 and he earned $600,000 for owner Henry Chalhoub of France.

Said John Hammond, Dear Doctor’s 32-year-old English trainer: “It’s almost too much, too soon. It’s great (simply) to have a runner in the race. It’s even better to have a winner.”

Hammond said he almost kept Dear Doctor in France to await the Man O’War on Sept. 19 at Belmont Park, a race Dear Doctor still might start in.

In three U.S. appearances last year, Dear Doctor finished second in the Man O’War and the Turf Classic at Belmont and 11th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs.

He won races earlier this year in England, France and Germany.

Dear Doctor was sixth with a quarter mile remaining in the race. Sky Classic, ridden by Pat Day, was fifth, while Golden Pheasant, ridden by Gary Stevens, was ninth. Running 1-2 were pace-setting Chenin Blanc and El Trenzador.

Sky Classic took the lead with about an one-eighth of a mile remaining. Asmussen found room between horses and put Dear Doctor on the rail en route to his second Million victory. He won in 1988 with Mill Native, who paid a Million-record $83.20.

Sky Classic paid $3.80 and $2.80 and Golden Pheasant returned $5.60.

Completing the order of finish were Exit To Nowhere, El Trenzador, Quest For Fame, Chenin Blanc, Second Set, Star Of Cozzene, Marquetry, River Verdon and John Rose.