Santin back on song with G1 Arlington Million second

A return to turf produced a return to form for Santin as he filled the runner-up spot behind Set Piece in the G1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs, USA, on Saturday, 12 August.

The Distorted Humor entire captured the same race in 2022, when it was run at Churchill Downs, but had failed to reach similar heights in six subsequent outings, including two recent appearances on dirt.

Drawn widest of all in stall 11, Santin showed good early speed to race in second on the outside of Atone as Strong Quality made the early running.

Strong Quality continued to hold a length and a half advantage until the pack started to close in the straight, with Santin staying on strongly to press for the lead approaching the final furlong.

Santin hit the front but the Brendan Walsh-trained five-year-old was immediately passed by Set Piece, who flew home from the rear and quickened away for a two-length success.

The Godolphin homebred stuck to his task well under Tyler Gaffalione, comfortably seeing off Adamo for second in the closing strides.