Motion tempted to test elders with Trikari in Coolmore Turf Mile

The last North American-based 3-year-old to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile was War Chant in 2000, but the way Trikari has progressed through late spring and summer, his connections are wondering if the colt might be BC Mile material come November.

Trikari might have run his best race Sunday when he beat Brilliant Berti by 2 1/4 lengths in the Grade 2, $500,000 Secretariat Stakes. Brilliant Berti, the odds-on favorite, came to the race after reeling off three straight turf wins in Kentucky – a maiden race, a first-level allowance, and a 2 1/4-length victory in the $250,000 American Derby. Trikari got first run on Brilliant Berti but also turned in a faster final quarter-mile, 22.69 seconds to 22.71.

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Trainer Graham Motion said via text message Monday morning that Trikari seemed fine, if a little tired after a strong run and a six-hour drive back to the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland. Trikari, by Oscar Performance, ran poorly last year in his lone start at age 2 but has notched three graded turf stakes this season, cutting back from his win in the 1 3/16-mile Belmont Derby to one mile in the Secretariat.

Motion said Sunday that the $1 million Coolmore Turf Mile on Oct. 5 at Keeneland would be considered for Trikari’s first start against older horses, a test to see if he truly is Breeders’ Cup material.

“I’m still leaning towards Keeneland, but I haven’t looked at the big picture yet to be honest,” Motion said.

Trikari was clocked in a good 1:34.92 over a Colonial turf course rated firm despite taking a significant amount of rain late in the week when Tropical Storm Debby passed through the region. Sunday’s turf stakes were moved back one day in case the Colonial course took too much rain late in the week.

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