Secret Message rallies wide to win Marie Krantz Memorial

Secret Message delivered a strong late run under Shaun Bridgmohan to win the $100,000 Marie Krantz Memorial by 1 1/4 lengths Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Inside paths appeared to be the best part of the Fair Grounds turf course Saturday, but Secret Message rallied to victory while racing at least six paths off the fence. Bridgmohan saved ground with the mare for the first 6 1/2 furlongs of the Krantz before tipping to the extreme outside at the quarter pole. Secret Message switched to the wrong lead at about the furlong grounds but quickly swapped back to the proper lead leg and finished the job with verve. Off splits of 23.57 seconds, 48.34, and 1:36.60, she ran 1 1/16 miles over firm ground in 1:42.66.

Room to Finish closed along the rail and finished second, with Xanthique, stretching out from sprints, home third. Heavily favored Dalika pressed the pace and appeared to be getting a good trip, but she was caught between horses at the furlong grounds and never could shake free from foes to her inside and outside, finishing unplaced.

Secret Message ($6.80) was making her second start since being purchased at auction last fall by Spendthrift Farm and being turned over to trainer Brad Cox. The 6-year-old mare ran an even third Dec. 19 in the Blushing K. D. Stakes before putting forth a more complete performance Saturday. Secret Message, a Grade 2 winner by Hat Trick out of Westside Singer, by Gone West, was bred in Kentucky by Allen Tennenbaum. She won for the seventh time in 20 starts.