When 3-year-old colt Giocoso dug deep in a late scramble to win the Grade 2, $500,000 Secretariat Stakes at Colonial Downs on Saturday, trainer Keith Desormeaux credited a blessing in disguise for the massive breakthrough. Coming off a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 American Turf behind Zulu Kingdom in May, Desormeaux wanted to bring Giocoso back for another stakes at Churchill Downs later that month, but a few minor issues prevented the quick turnaround. By his own admission, “the old Keith Desormeaux” would have tried to bring the colt back as soon as possible after the delay, but his newfound patience paid off. “Trying to be a good horseman made me give him more time between races,” Desormeaux said. “Like I said, it worked out for the best.” :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. Giocoso, well-rested for his fourth straight graded stakes attempt, finally had his day in the Secretariat, outlasting several rivals to win by a length. He completed the turf mile in 1:35.36, paid $11.40 to win, and earned a career-high 84 Beyer Speed Figure. Sitting just behind the early leaders in third to start, jockey Ben Curtis could not have found a better position for Giocoso through an opening quarter-mile in 24.08 seconds. “It was the perfect trip for him,” Curtis said. “We were very open when we going out there, Keith left it up to me. I would’ve been quite happy on the lead to be honest. He’s very versatile and went on the lead when he won his maiden impressively. The tactics were very fluid as to how the break went.” The field ran in nearly identical formation through a half-mile in 48.59 before Antisocial made an early move to challenge pacesetter Maui Strong entering the far turn. When Maui Strong hit the top of the stretch with a short and receding lead, he led a pack of six contenders separated by less than 2 1/2 lengths. While Giocoso slipped through on the rail, Antisocial maintained his early bid between rivals while 2-1 favorite Simulate and 34-1 longshot Anegada began moving from the back of the pack. The race could have gone to anyone as four rivals lined up across the track late, but Curtis found the winning trip along the rail.  Giocoso outkicked his stalking rivals and managed to hold off Simulate, who closed fast for trainer Bill Mott to finish second by a head over Antisocial, a headstrong colt trained by Jorge Duarte Jr. As Desormeaux considers Giocoso’s next move, he said that he is tempted to go back to his old ways. “I love to run my horses,” Desormeaux said. “I’m known as a guy that, I don’t give them that typical 30 to 45 days. If they’re sound, they’re happy, I’m going on with them.” Massive purses at Kentucky Downs later this month are an alluring prize with a hot colt in the barn, but the trainer just learned what Giocoso is capable of with proper rest. A graded stakes win will likely encourage him to carry on with a patient approach for now. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.