‘Seasoned Traveler’ Cairo Trains On Colonial Turf For Arlington Million originally appeared on Paulick Report.

After arriving at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va., on Sunday, Refai Alghraiban’s classy globetrotter Cairo was on the track Aug. 6 ahead of his run in Saturday’s Grade 1 Arlington Million on Festival of Racing Day (Aug. 9). Trainer Alice Haynes was on hand for the Irish-bred’s move over the turf course.

“He’s fit coming here,” Haynes said. “We just gave him a two-furlong blow and let him have a look at the track so he’s all set for Saturday.”

Having raced at top tracks across Ireland and England, Meydan in Dubai, and Sha Tin in Hong Kong, the Million will be Cairo’s first start in the United States.

“We took off from England, landed at JFK and quarantined there before (coming to Colonial Downs),” Haynes said. “He’s a seasoned traveler–he loves it. Another stamp for his passport.”

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Exiting an impressive third last out in the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot on June 17, Cairo has made six starts since Dec. 20, 2024, when he finished second in the Al Rashidiya (G2), one of four events he participated in over the winter at Meydan.

Bred in Ireland by Coolmore, Cairo banged out three wins in his first five starts. The 5-year-old’s career record includes six group placings and a win in the 2022 Killavullan Stakes (G3).

Going 1¼ miles over the turf, the Arlington Million attracted a field of eight older males. Made 7-2 in the morning line, Cairo will take on an accomplished group, which includes last year’s Million runner-up, Integration; Mystik Dan, whose resume includes a win in Kentucky Derby 150 and $4,467,120 lifetime earnings; and multiple graded stakes winner Grand Sonata who has amassed $2,244,935 in lifetime earnings for trainer Todd Pletcher.

“Look, you’ve got the Kentucky Derby winner who has never been on the turf, so you never know,” Haynes said. “The favorite, Integration, looks a tough one to beat but we’re here to take our chance.”

Known for putting himself into the race soon out of the gate, in the Queen Anne Cairo waited patiently near the rear before making one run.

“It looks like there will be a nice pace set, so we’ll plan to sit behind the leaders,” Haynes said.

Colonial Downs’ reigning titleholder and current meet-leading jockey Ben Curtis takes the call and will guide Cairo from post 5.

This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared.