Burnham Square Took the Million and Gran Oriente Bordered on a Historic Feat for Chile
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The son of Liam's Map became a G1 winner on both dirt and turf, while the Chilean representative turned in a massive effort to finish second; Robert Bruce remains the only South American to capture the iconic contest
NEW KENT, Virginia (Special for Turf Diario).— The Arlington Million (G1) once again demonstrated why it remains one of the most prestigious turf races in the United States. At Colonial Downs, the star turned out to be Burnham Square, who confirmed his extraordinary progression over the grass and wrote a unique chapter in his career by becoming a G1 winner on both dirt and turf. However, there were also reasons for immense pride within South American racing, as Chilean-bred Gran Oriente came within a whisker of pulling off a massive upset, finishing second after a high-caliber performance.
Guided by Paco López, the Chilean representative battled down to the final strides, ultimately ceding by just half a length to a rival in peak career form. The margin was minimal and all the more meritorious considering that Dresden Row (Lord Nelson) finished a nose behind in third, while Layabout (Laoban), who led through most of the journey, held fourth. The top four crossed the wire separated by barely 3/4 of a length, delivering a thrilling finish.
Gran Oriente fueled hopes throughout the stretch of snapping a streak that has stood for years. To this day, the only South American horse to win the Arlington Million remains fellow Chilean Robert Bruce (Fast Company), brilliant winner of the 2018 edition. This time the outcome differed, yet the performance by the colt owned by Epic Horses LLC, WSS Racing LLC, AMA Stables, and BAG Racing Stables proved that South American stayers can compete on equal terms against North America's elite.
For Burnham Square, it was another display of versatility. After capturing the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) on the Keeneland dirt during his three-year-old campaign, the son of Liam's Map strung together his fourth consecutive victory on turf, solidifying a transition that trainer Ian Wilkes always envisioned as possible.
Positioned sixth in a seven-horse field through the early stages under jockey Brian Hernández Jr., he launched his wide bid around the far turn. Though the leaders appeared to be in control turning into the stretch, his explosive turn of foot made the difference in the final meters, stopping the clock in 2m80/100 for the 2,000 meters.
"He transitioned fantastically to the turf. He is bred for this surface and that is his greatest strength. He also possesses an extraordinary turn of foot. I knew this race would likely be the toughest of his four starts this year because a mile and a half remains his ideal distance," explained Wilkes, confirming that the next goal will be the Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational (G2T), before targeting the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T).
The victory carried special meaning from a South American perspective. Burnham Square carries the silks of Whitham Thoroughbreds, the iconic family that owned so many unforgettable Argentine champions. Chief among them, naturally, stands the extraordinary Bayakoa (Consultant's Bid), one of the greatest mares born in Argentina, a two-time Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winner, and a member of the United States Racing Hall of Fame.
With this latest triumph, Burnham Square elevated his record to 7 wins from 15 starts, boosting his career earnings to $2,884,244 after pocketing the $607,600 winner's share of the Million. Furthermore, he became the third G1 winner of 2026 for Liam's Map, ratifying the stallion's exceptional form.
While the race did not conclude with a South American victory, it left a highly valuable impression. Gran Oriente put Chile back at the center of an iconic event and came remarkably close to joining Robert Bruce in an elite club. It fell just short of breaking history, but proved beyond doubt that his performance ranks among the finest recent international displays by a South American thoroughbred.
