Plenty has changed in the 45 years since the legendary John Henry nipped The Bart in the first and most memorable edition of the Arlington Million. Surviving numerous obstacles, the 1 1/4-mile race remains one of the most prestigious events run on American turf.

Colonial Downs in Virginia will host the grass test for the fourth time on Saturday and this year’s field is headlined by the blossoming turf star Burnham Square. The Grade 1 winner will put his three-race winning streak on the line when he faces seven other turf specialists, including last year’s winner Fort Washington.

1. Dresden Row (7-2 morning-line odds): A consistent stakes winner on the all-weather surface at Woodbine, this 5-year-old by Lord Nelson has made a nice transition to the turf in 2026. After two allowance level wins over good fields on the grass in Kentucky, he was a solid third last out in the Grade 2 Wise Dan Stakes at Churchill Downs. He seldom runs poorly and deserves consideration in his first try in Grade 1 company.

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

2. Layabout (20-1): The longest shot on the morning line, he will need to do much better than his seventh-place finish behind Gran Oriente last time at Gulfstream Park. The good news for those looking for a big price is that he had a bit of trouble early in that one and his form before that was not bad. Three starts back, he won the Grade 3 William L. McKnight Stakes Presented by Woodford Reserve Bourbon, also at Gulfstream. Others look better in this field, but he is not without hope.

JOCKEY: Keith Asmussen; TRAINER: Patrick Biancone

3. Fort Washington (5-1): The returning champion of the Arlington Million made a strong run from the back of the pack to victory last year. It was arguably the best performance of his career, and that alone makes him a contender on Saturday. The veteran has won only once in five starts since, but his performances are respectable enough to believe he could have another big effort in him. This year’s edition is stronger than last year, however.

JOCKEY: Javier Castellano; TRAINER: Shug McGaughey

4. Integration (4-1): The beaten favorite when third in last year’s Arlington Million, he is back for his third shot in the race, having also finished second in 2024. His odds will be much more playable this time around as he returns to a turf course he likes. In three races this season, the 6-year-old by Quality Road appears to be rounding into top form. He has not made it to the winner’s circle often in the last few years, but he remains a dangerous runner. 

JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Shug McGaughey

Burnham Square wins June 13 Chorleywood Stakes (Coady Media)

5. Burnham Square (5-2): A Grade 1 winner on dirt, this 4-year-old Liam’s Map gelding appears to be even stronger on the turf, where he has won three straight. In five races on the grass overall, he has not been worse than second and looks primed for his biggest test yet. He will be cutting back in distance on Saturday, but the 1 ¼ miles should be enough for him to get rolling in time. Having said that, the shorter distance could be a challenge for him, especially if they run slow early and sprint to the finish line. The one to beat.

JOCKEY: Brian Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ian Wilkes

6. Test Score (9-2): It’s hard to know why this multiple graded stakes winner ran so poorly two starts back in the Grade 1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes at Churchill Downs, but he got right back to business last time with an excellent second in the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes at Saratoga. A consistent performer in graded stakes company, he should be considered one of the top threats here. He also has a little more tactical speed than many of his top rivals on Saturday.

JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Graham Motion

7. Mercante (12-1): In a race without much early speed, this could be the horse to set the pace on Saturday. A graded stakes winner last year, he has been beaten in seven consecutive races. He did run an improved race last time, though, finishing second in the Wise Dan while ahead of both Dresden Row and Fort Washington. He could get brave late if he is left alone early. 

JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Brian Knippenberg

8. Gran Oriente (10-1): An import from Chile, where he was a Group 1 winner on the grass, this son of Classic Empire has been really coming around of late for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. A winner of two straight stakes races since switching barns, he will now get a class test in the Arlington Million. Judging from his South American form, the move to 1 ¼ miles should be within his scope. He also looks to have enough tactical speed to be within touch early. He is an interesting longshot.

JOCKEY: Paco Lopez; TRAINER: Saffie Joseph Jr.

THE PICK: Burnham Square

LIVE LONGSHOT: Gran Oriente

SUPERFECTA: 5-6-8-4