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Facebook Thread Spurs Push for Unreal Arc
Original article written by The Steward posted 11 years 4 weeks ago7 millionaires were entered for the Year 33 Arc de Triomphe when trainer Ara Davies checked the field on Sunday morning. The veteran trainer then called it to the attention of her fellow Arc entrants Julie Kluesener and Janena Olson, which also brought the interest of Rebecca Rose Hepburn.
Now the group is on a mission to bring together possibly the best field ever assembled, fully knowing that some of the greatest horses in the division will run up the track. They also want to see if they can break the record for 1 1/2 miles on the turf, which is held by Davies' Trafalgar (2:25.0).
Track management has offered to increase the purse to $4 million if 10 millionaires enter, and $5 million if 12 millionaires enter. 14 horses can run in the Arc. If the purse is raised, the race will also be called when it is run on Week 14 Friday. The Arc has not been called in many years.
Although the race is still 12 days away, it seems unlikely that the required number of millionaires will be met. While some trainers may be willing to sacrifice their big horses for a huge race, it is unknown how fast the horses really will run, which might hamper their chances Week 16. Also, original entries might start scratching if the field becomes too intense.
Others think this doesn't matter, if the race is remembered as one of the greatest of all time. "This is going to go down as one of the most epic races in SIM history. Why would anyone not want to be in it?" Davies said.