ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. -- Trainers do not make a habit of comparing star horses that have passed through their barn. Bad politics. But after Paddy O’Prado had won his third straight graded turf stakes, capturing the $400,000 Secretariat by 1 1/4 lengths over English invader Wigmore Hall on a steamy Saturday at Arlington Park, trainer Dale Romans did not hesitate to bring up a standout from the past.

The splendor of the Colonial Downs grass was never more evident to Dale Romans than when Paddy O’Prado won over the highly acclaimed course last month. An eye-catching victory in the June 19 Colonial Cup not only confirmed the class Paddy O’Prado had shown in the Triple Crown series, but stamped him as a potential turf star.

Now comes the Colonial Downs showcase, the Grade 2, $600,000 Virginia Derby on Saturday, and Romans is hoping to see Paddy O’Prado take another major step in that direction.