9.52 Arlington Park
Secretariat Stakes (Grade 1) (3yo) (Turf) (3yo) Winner
£153,846
Pick: Ziyarid (each/way)
Newsdad: Suffered a poor trip when behind Banned and Casino
Post in Virginia Derby and no surprise to see him getting closer, especially
with small weight turnaround; That said still needs to reverse that form in big
way and others preferred today despite yard having won this twice. 
Ziyarid: Looked useful on only start at 2 and has only improved
this season, rounding off hat – trick when holding off better fancied
stablemate having been let go as pacemaker in French Group 3 last time; Won’t have
to resort to those tactics and also gets 4lbs from main three ahead of him in
market, so must be considered seriously.
Treasure Beach: Started remarkable progression when winning
Chester Vase first time out & career best when beating all but Pour Moi at
Epsom; Followed that up when strong at the finish of Irish Derby and probably unsuited
by going off so hard in Grand Prix De Paris, although he looked well over the
top and has only had 30 days off since; Drop back to sharp 10 furlongs isn’t going
to help either and while he’s a deserving favourite, has a tough task here. 
Crimson China: Well behind some of these in Virginia Derby
last time out, having looked one – paced at 9 furlong trip; Needs far more. 
Casino Host: Managed to split Banned and Newsdad when third
in Virginia Derby but was always held by the runner up and now must meet him on
2lbs worse terms; Hard to fancy.
Suntracer: Has run into Wilcox Inn the last twice and been
held with ease on both occasions; Wide trips last time no excuse and likely
that 2lbs turnaround won’t be enough to help him reverse form here
Banned: Has been one of most progressive sophomore turf
runners this season, winning Grade events at Churchill with plenty to spare; Unable
to get past Air Support last time off worse terms than their last meeting and
while he’s still got more to come (along with fact last two winners have come
from this) this presents a tougher test for him.
Derby Kitten: Well behind Wilcoxx Inn last time, although
clearly not at his best based on Grade 3 win on the Keeneland Polytrack and
does get a weight turnaround; Not discounted at a big price.
Wilcoxx Inn: Seen as one of the main 2 home challengers
based on his dominant stakes victories at this track, latterly in the Grade 2
American Derby; Will need to progress again to beat a better horse but still progressive and should make a bold bid. 
L’Aigoln: Only two wins and latest of them in a Polytrack
claimer; A few horses of his type have pulled off upsets but no progression in
this one.
VERDICT: Treasure Beach is probably the best horse in the
race but is very short for a horse who clearly performs best at 12 furlongs and
has had a hard season so far. Banned and Wilcoxx Inn have progressive profiles
and should challenge, but the value may lie with the French raider ZIYARID, who
gets 4lbs from all of the above named.
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