GRAND ARCH won his second consecutive stakes and first Grade 1 when he rallied to take the $1,000,000 Shadwell Turf Mile S. on a yielding course at Keeneland. The son of ARCH was coming off a win in the Fourstardave H.-G2 on a firm turf course at Saratoga in mid August. In this ‘Win and You’re In’ test for the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, GRAND ARCH raced in fourth for the first 1/2 mile no more than 2 1/2 lengths off the lead. He moved off the rail and closed the gap on the leader to take the lead as they turned for home, then dug in late to hold off rivals on each side of him to win by a head. The consistent Brian Lynch trainee now has a record of seven wins and 12 placings from 23 starts and earnings of $1,607,230. Last year, GRAND ARCH won Woodbine’s King Edward S.-G2 and finished runner-up, beaten only a length to two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan, in the Shadwell Turf Mile and was also runner-up, beaten a neck, in the Fourstardave H.-G2. Bred by Hunter Valley Farm & S. Hillen out of the El Gran Senor mare, Bacinella, GRAND ARCH races for Jim and Susan Hill.
