Long Island Sound looks to continue O'Brien's run in Secretariat Stakes

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – There’s no corner of the racing world too distant for the long reach of trainer Aidan O’Brien, and the Secretariat Stakes on the Arlington Million card has recently been thoroughly colonized by O’Brien’s 3-year-old Irish raiders. He won the race last year with Highland Reel, has won it in three of the last five years, and has a solid chance to win it Saturday with Long Island Sound.

Long Island Sound finished sixth as the favorite in the $1.25 million Belmont Derby Invitational last out and was probably a touch disappointing in the race, but he was beaten only 2 1/2 lengths and looked fresh and happy during his first morning out on the Arlington track Thursday.

Long Island Sound is one nine entered to run 1 1/4 miles in the $450,000 Secretariat, race 7 of 10 Saturday at Arlington and the first of three Grade 1 turf races. Heavy rain was forecast here Thursday night into Friday night, and if it hits, the grass course will be no better than “good” for the Arlington Million card.

KEY CONTENDERS

Long Island Sound, by War Front
Last Beyer: 90

◗ Only debuted this April and raced on all-weather tracks in his first two starts but won three in a row and earned a start in the Group 3 Tercentenary, where he was third over soft ground behind subsequent Group 1 winner Hawkbill.

◗ Has some tactical speed but raced sixth, seventh, and eighth behind a slow pace in the Belmont Derby.

Beach Patrol, by Lemon Drop Kid
Last 3 Beyers: 91-78-95

◗ Privately purchased after a good second in the American Turf in May at Churchill, a race in which he moved early into a fast pace.

◗ Was a flat sixth in the Penn Mile, but trainer Chad Brown predicted vast improvement in the Belmont Derby, and Beach Patrol showed it, closing from sixth to finish third, beaten 1 1/2 lengths.

◗ Drawn wide Saturday, but there is a pacemaker in the race, Scissors and Tape, who should spread the field early and afford room to drop in for position.

Surgical Strike, by Red Giant
Last 3 Beyers: 90-84-91

◗ Added blinkers two starts ago and has since gone from a deep closer to a stalker, but surely part of that transformation was due to running in slower-paced races. Should be farther off the lead Saturday than in the Belmont Derby, where he stalked from third and finished a somewhat one-paced fifth.

“I don’t think the pacemaker hurts us at all,” said trainer Ben Colebrook. “We’ve always hoped to get an honest pace in front of him.”

◗ Won on the course when he captured the Arlington Classic over Secretariat starter One Mean Man. He’s made seven starts this year, but Colebrook still sees a strong horse.

“From what I’m seeing, he’s carrying more weight and looks better than he has all year,” he said.

American Patriot, by War Front
Last 3 Beyers: 88-89-77

◗ Finished 10th in the American Turf, but trainer Todd Pletcher then added blinkers, and American Patriot has scored a pair of sharp wins, the last in the Grade 3 Kent.

“Blinkers have seemed to have gotten him into the race a little better,” said Pletcher. “He’s been more productive”

◗ Got his last of nine furlongs in the Kent in 11.20 seconds and looks like a horse who will stay the 1 1/4 miles. “I don’t think that should be a problem,” Pletcher said.

◗ Shipped in well from New York and trained with aplomb here this week.

One Mean Man, by Mizzen Mast
Last 3 Beyers: 84-80-84

◗ Hard-trying, improving, and changed his running style from a forwardly placed horse to a closer when he won the American Derby here over 1 1/8 miles last out. Could have trouble staying the extra furlong.

Cherry Wine, by Paddy O’Prado
Last 3 Beyers: 73-89-96

◗ Second in the Preakness but more recently a dull ninth in the Indiana Derby.

◗ Back to turf for the first time since his 2-year-old season.

◗ Trainer Dale Romans is a two-time winner of this race.