Three things surfaced from our survey of handicapper picks for the Arlington Million – the consistency of Gio Ponti, the possibility of yielding turf as rain has been forecasted, and the presence of fine European contenders in this race.   Regarding Gio Ponti, our Guest Commentator for Arlington Park, Kristin Slape, said Gio Ponti has been “phenomenal on the turf” while Kevin Stafford, our Laurel Park Guest Commentator called him “Mr. Consistency” and John Lindley of Parker’s Picks says that the handicappers’ favorite “dominated foes at Belmont Park”.  In addition to this, the possibility of rain does not change their opinion of Gio Ponti.  According to Rich Santucci, a handicapper for The Racing Digest, “The two favorites have handled yielding turf, so they should be there when it counts.”

Despite the majority of handicappers favoring Gio Ponti, even more did not.  Even some those favoring Gio Ponti, mentioned Presious Passion as a potential threat.  Cwayne, our Del Mar Guest Commentator, predicted, “Watch for an interesting race with Presious Passion setting the pace, Geo Ponti stalking and Einstein running off the pace and finishing strong.”

The other factor many considered was how the European horses would influence the race.  Mike DeAngelo noted that it would be a “tough race to call with 4 foreign horses involved...” 

Here is the breakdown of the 16 handicappers’ selections:

Gio Ponti	7
Einsten	2
Presious Passion	2
Gloria De Campeao	2
Cima de Triomphe	1
Stotsfold	1
Mr. Sidney	1

These are the individual selections and comments.

Win	Best Bet	Handicapper	Comment	Site
Gio Ponti		Kristin Slape (See Arlington Park Comments)	6 GIO PONTE (5/2) has been phenomenal on the turf with a record of (11 7-2-0) which includes 3 Grade 1 wins posted in his last 3 starts…(more)	Trackside Broadcasting
Gio Ponti	Exacta keying Gio Ponti over Presious Passion and Einstein	Kevin Stafford (See Laurel Park Comments too)	Gio Ponti is Mr. Consistency, and while Presious Passion may have defeated better last out, I look for him to rally late and win.	The Aspiring Horseplayer
Gio Ponti	$1 exacta box 1-2-6.	John Lindley	Gio Pointi dominated foes at Belmont Park, comes into this race with good spacing between starts and he looks reliable for another big stretch run.	Parker's Picks
Gio Ponti	Exacta boxes 1,5  &  5,6	Rich Santucci	Raining at AP during Friday's card and rain in the forecast so turf will be soft or yielding most likely. The two favorites have handled yielding turf so they should be there when it counts. Bill Mott's Mr. Sidney is 3 for 3 on yielding and very sharp and offers value.	The Racing Digest
Gio Ponti	Presious Passion	Johnny Jupitur	Watch Presious Passion may get loose and take them wire to wire. Gio Ponti should win this easily closing at the end.	Postime Computer
Gio Ponti	Gio Ponti	Wiligee	While Gio Ponti has never raced at Arlington, he is  7 of 11 on turf and has won last 3 in row.	Willie's Picks
Einstein	Einstein and Geo Pointi in an exacta box should show a profit	Cwayne (See Del Mar Comments too)	Watch for an interesting race with Presious Passion setting the pace, Geo Ponti stalking and Einstein running off the pace and finishing strong. Einstein benefits from a 2 month layoff and has fared well on the turf this year.	Picks and Plays
Einstein	Mr. Sidney	Man In White	Eistein  had all sorts of problems in his last & yet still finished a respectable third by one length.  Mr. Sidney  could be the sleeper in here that we will love to have in our exacta plays.	Postime Computer
Presious Passion	10-cent super ($3.60)  2 / 3,6 / 1,3,5,6 / All	Paul Lambrakis	Lone speed is always dangerous.  Precious Passion may just humble this stellar field with a gate to wire victory.	10 cent Superfecta
Presious Passion	Presious Passion	Mike DeAngelo	Tough race to call with 4 foreign horses involved but it looks like Presious Passion gets a lukewarm nod over Gio Ponti and Einstein.	A Plus Thorobred
Gloria De Campeao	Gloria De Campeao	Tim Maas	Gloria de Campeao (my fair odds 6-5; morning line 5-1) and Recapturetheglory (my fair odds 15-1; morning line 20-1) are the only morning-line overlays.	Overlay Publications
Gloria De Campeao	Presious Passion	Michael A. Gooley	We made 5-1 GLORIA DE CAMPEAO a Super Value Win Bet (SV) after outstanding win last race in Grade 1 Stakes in route on the turf.  He has won 7 of 20 life starts, Well rested and well bred.	TrackPro
Cima de Triomphe	Arlington Race 11  #3  Dixie Band (This is for a different race)	Nico Kunalea	The Europens do very well in the "Million". Luca Cumani doesn't travel just for fun. Use The #8 with #1,6 4 and 7 in your exotics. Have fun and good luck!	Wiredfigs
Stotsfold	Stotsfold	Craig Milkowski	Gio Ponti has been impressive, but the Europeans are just stronger on turf.  I'll take the one getting 1st Lasix to surprise.	Pace Figures
Mr.Sidney	Exacta box Einstein Mr. Sidney and Gio Ponti	Duwayne Fendrick	Value play	The Sports Jerk

For additional selections, we encourage you to visit the sites from these handicappers in our directory.