Secret Passage wants fast pace in Delta Mile

Secrert Passage completes a tale of two ovals in Saturday night’s $75,000 Delta Mile at Delta Downs.

The probable favorite won over North America’s largest last out at Belmont Park, and now he seeks to win on one of its smallest. Delta is a six-furlong track, while Belmont is a 1 1/2-mile oval. The difference is not lost on Secret Passage’s trainer, Robertino Diodoro.

“Especially being a come-from-behind horse, that is a concern,” he said. “But at the same time, he’s been at Delta a couple of weeks now, worked really well the other day. And I think there should be enough speed to run at.”

The Delta Mile is for 3-year-olds and up and shares a card with the $100,000 Legacy for 2-year-olds bred in Louisiana. The field of eight for the Delta Mile includes local favorite Mocito Rojo.

“He’s always run well here, won five out of seven over the racetrack,” trainer Shane Wilson said.

Secret Passage has won three of his last four starts, his most recent win coming in an optional $62,500 claiming race at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 23 at Belmont. He closed for a 1 1/4-length win, and the Beyer Speed Figure of 93 that he earned is the best last-race number in the Delta Mile.

“He’s slowly getting better, this horse,” Diodoro said of the 5-year-old by Curlin. “I don’t think he’s reached his full potential yet. Time will tell.”

Timothy Thornton has the mount for Lucky Dog Stables, Fitch Racing Stable, and Selman Shaby.

Mocito Rojo won the biggest race of his career in June, rallying from just off the pace to capture the $100,000 Evangeline Downs Mile. The race was on dirt, and he moved to turf for his next stakes appearance in the $60,000 Unbridled and finished second by a neck Sept. 2 at Louisiana Downs. Mocito Rojo was back on dirt last out and won a starter allowance at Delta with a 91 Beyer.

“I think he prefers the dirt,” Wilson said. “He doesn’t really like the turf. He deals with it. He goes through it and competes. He prefers the main track.”

Filemon Rodriguez has the mount from post 7 for Wayne T. Davis.

“We ought to get a good trip from the 7 hole, sitting on the outside and stalking the pace, if everything goes right,” Wilson said.

Others in the field include Delta stakes winners Line Judge, Midnight Ruler, Underpressure, and Rise Up, who is cross-entered in an overnight race at Remington Park.

The Legacy will be run at a mile and marks the two-turn debut for Cafe Du Monde. He chased one of the most notable 2-year-old winners of the year in August, finishing second to Trophy Chaser in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park. Trophy Chaser won by 15 3/4 lengths and earned a 96 Beyer.

As for Cafe Du Monde, he won a maiden special weight over seven furlongs one start later at Gulfstream. The race has become a key one, with the third- and fifth-place finishers returning to win maiden special weights at Gulfstream Park West next out. Gerard Melancon has the mount for trainer Leo Gabriel Jr.

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