Arlington Million XXXV S.

Prior to Aug. 12, the best race of Beach Patrol’s life came on the turf at Arlington International Racecourse. On Saturday evening, the son of Lemon Drop Kid proved that outing was not only no fluke, but one he could further raise the bar on.

Nearly a year to the day after he earned his first Grade 1 score in the Secretariat Stakes, Chad Brown trainee Beach Patrol duplicated that form against a salty international field when he fought past favored Deauville in the stretch and held strong against longshot Fanciful Angel late to win the Grade 1 Arlington Million XXXV Stakes.

The win was the first for the 4-year-old colt since his breakout victory 12 months earlier, ending a streak of six losses that saw him run admirably enough to keep faith that another big day was on tap. During that dry spell, he had not finished worse than fourth and came to Arlington off a third-place effort in the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes on July 1. And had it not been for fellow Arlington Million entrant Divisidero, Beach Patrol would have already halted his losing skid in the May 6 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes at Churchill Downs as he fell just a half-length short of that rival in a runner-up effort.

He also succeeded in planting yet another feather in the cap for Eclipse Award-winner Brown, who earlier on the card sent out Dacita to win the Beverly D. Stakes to become the first trainer to sweep those two contests in the same year.

Owned by James Covello, Head of Plains Partners and Sheep Pond Partners — the latter of whom also co-owns Dacita — Beach Patrol got himself prominently placed in the early going of the 1 1/4-mile test, settling just off the hip of longshot pacesetter Oak Brook through a leisurely procession of :24.45 and :49.53 for the first half-mile.

“They told me I had to get him out of the gate and get into a good position and let him find himself,” winning jockey Joel Rosario said. “It took a little bit of time, but he really found his way after. I appreciate the chance and the opportunity to be able to ride him today.”

Oak Brook was still clinging to his lead at the quarter-pole before the reality of his 56.50-1 odds and the power of Rosario’s mount set in full force. Grade 1 winner Deauville, who had been stalking the top two while saving ground down the backstretch, shot up the rail and took a short lead in the final furlong only to have Beach Patrol unearth another gear under strong hand urging from Rosario, edging clear late en route to covering the distance in 2:02.39.

“This was the spot and the race we’ve been waiting for a year,” said co-owner Sol Kumin of Sheep Pond Partners. “He loves it here, Joel gave us a great ride, obviously Chad and his team had the horse ready and we’re super happy.

“It’s funny, I’ve seen the trophy and Chad always talked about this is the best trophy in horse racing. It’s always been on the bucket list and I’m super fortunate to be here with my kids and dad. It doesn’t get much better than this.”

Sent off at 4.90-1 odds, Beach Patrol paid $11.80, $6, and $4 across the board.

Fanciful Angel made a huge run to get second with Deauville third as the 9-5 favorite and Enterprising fourth.