Notes on the Secretariat

After completely trespassing on the boundaries of blogging with my lengthy Arlington Million (G1) and Beverly D. S. (G1) thoughts, I'll confine myself to a brief glance at a few sophomores in the Secretariat S. (G1).

Irish shipper WINCHESTER (Theatrical [Ire]) is extremely appealing. Trained by the masterful Dermot Weld, who has had plenty of success at Arlington and indeed around the globe, the bay is coming off two significant races. Like last year's Secretariat winner, Shamdinan (Fr) (Dr Fong), Winchester was most recently unplaced in the Irish Derby (Ire-G1).

But Winchester's troubled eighth in the King Edward VII S. (Eng-G2) two back at Royal Ascot may be every bit as significant. The King Edward has turned out to be a productive contest. The winner, Campanologist (Kingmambo), returned to finish a close fourth to Million threat MOUNT NELSON (GB) (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]) in the Eclipse S. (Eng-G1). The runner-up, Conduit (Dalakhani), justified 1-2 favoritism – barely – next time out in the Gordon S. (Eng-G3) at Glorious Goodwood. The third-placer, Top Lock (Nayef), has since finished third in the Deutsches Derby (Ger-G1). King Edward sixth City Leader (Fasliyev) rebounded with a good second in the Prix Eugene Adam (Fr-G2). The trend is unmistakable, and it enhances Winchester's stature considerably.

As if the European form were not rock-solid enough, Winchester adds blinkers, first-time Lasix and Arlington supremo Rene Douglas. I was a little curious why Weld's stable rider, Pat Smullen, did not come in. The word is that Smullen was needed back home to ride in some events that had been postponed from last week and rescheduled for this weekend. I'll be very surprised if Winchester goes off anywhere near his morning-line odds of 10-1.

The other Irish invader, PLAN (Storm Cat), was mentioned in an earlier post. I think it's telling that Aidan O'Brien dropped him steeply in class from the Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1), where he was eighth, all the way to listed company, where he closed for fourth at a mile. Plan turned in an encouraging effort to win the nine-furlong Keeneland International S. (Ire-G3) in his last start, but the older horses that he wore down that day aren't exactly world-beaters. He may do well for his new connections, IEAH Stable, in the future, but I'm not sure what to expect today.

TIZDEJAVU (Tiznow) merits 6-5 morning-line favoritism on the strength of three straight wire-to-wire scores, including a 2 1/4-length stroll in the American Derby (G2) at this venue. He may well be able to seize the race by the throat early once again, but SECRET GETAWAY (Skip Away) has tactical speed too. One of an uncoupled pair from the Mike Stidham barn, Secret Getaway is exiting a visually impressive victory in the Toronto Cup S., defeating subsequent Breeders' S. winner Marlang (Langfuhr). Emma-Jayne Wilson makes the trek from Woodbine to stick with Secret Getaway.

Finally, I've got to mention YOUR ROUND (Distorted Humor), who was most recently fourth in a super edition of the Virginia Derby (G2). Indeed, had any of the top three from that race shown up here – Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat), Court Vision (Gulch) and Sailor's Cap (Distant View) -- they would have vied with Tizdejavu for favoritism.

Well, it's off to the paddock now!