Secretariat

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The $400,000 Secretariat S. (G1) kicks off the three-race International
Festival of Racing at Arlington, and American Derby (G2) hero TIZDEJAVU (Tiznow)
is an overwhelming favorite on the morning line at 6-5. The Greg Fox-trained
colt is three-for-three since moving to the turf, recording wins in the Crown
Royal American Turf (G3) and Jefferson Cup (G2) at Churchill Downs prior to the
American Derby at Arlington, but we’ll try to beat the favorite.

WINCHESTER (Theatrical [Ire]) will make his U.S. debut with first-time
blinkers and Lasix, and we’ll give the Dermot Weld runner top billing. A smart
maiden winner in his seasonal bow at Leopardstown in April, the bay
colt finished a commendable second, beaten only a half-length, when stepping up
in class for the Silver S. next out at The Curragh. He then suffered a
nightmarish trip in the King Edward VII S. (Eng-G2), checking in an excusable
eighth following serious trouble at the start. In the Irish Derby (Ire-G1) last
out, he caught yielding turf which he never appeared comfortable over. We’ll
look for much better here. Winchester is proven over firm turf, and Saturday’s
conditions should favor him. Jockey Rene Douglas figures to get him covered up
in the early stages from post 2, and Weld gets his runners ready to fire when
invading the States. The Virginia-bred colt is a fine upset candidate.

Tizdejavu will offer no value, but it’s difficult to leave him off any
multi-race wagers. He appeared to be laboring a little in the stretch of the
American Derby last time, but the soft footing may be to blame. In his previous
start over firm ground at Churchill, the bay colt looked brilliant recording a
four-length decision. Tizdejavu will be stepping up to face better horses here
while seeking a fourth straight graded win — a tall task for any horse — and
SECRET GETAWAY (Skip Away) threatens to soften him up a little on the front end.
However, we certainly won’t be surprised to see him lead all the way.

PLAN (Storm Cat) also merits serious consideration. Trained by Aidan O’Brien,
who is enjoying a record-breaking season in Europe and captured the 2000
Secretariat with Ciro, the chestnut colt knocked off older rivals when annexing
the Keeneland International S. (Ire-G3) last out at The Curragh, but the quality
of those rivals remains in question. The lightly raced colt is still a very
promising individual, but we’ll use him only on the bottom of the exotics.

YOUR ROUND (Distorted Humor) gave a good account of himself when finishing
fourth in the Virginia Derby (G2) last out and third in the Colonial Turf Cup
(G3) two back, and he’s earned whopping BRIS Late Pace ratings of 110 and 107 in
previous turf starts. We like the way he’s rounding into form for Mark Hubley
and give him an upset chance under John Velazquez, but a minor award is much
more feasible.

Secret Getaway exits a pair of stakes wins at Woodbine for Michael Stidham,
including a 3 1/4-length romp in his turf debut last time, but the chestnut drew
the far outside post and will be facing a serious class hike. PRIME REALESTATE
(Prime Timber) will be running late for Wayne Catalano, but the stakes-placed
colt has major class concerns in this spot. You have to respect his connections,
but we can’t recommend the chestnut.

SR. HENRY (Straight Man) rallied for runner-up honors in the American Derby,
but some horse had to be second in that event. The bay gelding had finished off
the board in his three previous turf attempts versus allowance rivals, and this
spot will likely prove too difficult. SNOOSE GOOSE (Aptitude) exits a decent
runner-up effort at Canterbury and is a winner over this course, but he appears
in too deep here. STRAIT OF MEWSINA (Ire) (Spartacus) will need to improve
significantly just to finish in the middle of the pack.