Hardest Core charges to victory in G1 Arlington Million

Though he had never raced in Graded Stakes company before, the G1 Arlington Million appeared no issue for Hardest Core. The four-year-old son of Hard Spun captured the prestigious race against some of the top turf runners in the world in impression fashion. It was the fourth win in a row for Hardest Core, who earned his first Black-type victory last time out in the Cape Henlopen Stakes at Delaware Park.

In the one-and-one-quarter-mile race Hardest Core held the rail position, saving ground in fourth. With three-furlongs to go, he kicked on to challenge for the lead, working himself off the rail and charging down the center of the course in the final furlong to edge away for the win.

Bred by Mueller Farms, Inc., Hardest Core is out of the Housebuster mare Lillybuster, who is a half-sister to Champion Gilded Time. He is a half-brother to Stakes-placed mare Calla Lily and the dam of G2-placed Side Road, by Street Cry. The family traces to G3 Muhtathir Burj Nahaar winner Elusive Warning, by Elusive Quality.

Hardest Core is the third G1 winner thus far in 2014 for Hard Spun, who is having a tremendous year as a sire. Earlier in the year, his daughter Hard Not To Like took the G1 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland, and his G1 Wood Memorial-winning son Wicked Strong most recently captured the G2 Jim Dandy as well at Saratoga. Other talented runners for Hard Spun include Eclipse Champion Questing and G1 winner Zo Impressive.