Surgical Strike eyes Secretariat

Surgical Strike, a close fifth last out in the $1.25 million Belmont Derby Invitational, is likely to make his next start in the Grade 1 Secretariat on the Aug. 13 Arlington Million card, trainer Ben Colebrook said.

Surgical Strike won the Arlington Classic here May 28 by a head over One Mean Man, a narrow win that took on added luster when One Mean Man returned to win the American Derby on Million Preview Day.

“We nominated him around, but the Secretariat is probably the plan for right now,” said Colebrook. “I’ll work him on the grass at Keeneland next week and make a final decision after that.”

Surgical Strike began racing in blinkers in the Arlington Classic and has been much closer to the pace in his last two starts than in previous races. He sat third off a very slow tempo at Belmont and was beaten two lengths by the victorious Deauville.

“I thought he ran a good race,” Colebrook said. “Jose [Ortiz] had to go a little sooner than he wanted, and that might have cost him a placing. He held on pretty gamely.”

One Mean Man also is expected back for the Secretariat, as is American Derby runner-up Oscar Nominated. The third-place finisher from that race, Tequila Joe, is a probable Secretariat starter, trainer Mike Stidham said.

◗ Besides its two Million horses, Godolphin plans to start Very Special in the Beverly D. Stakes and Secret Number in the American St. Leger, according to Godolphin’s website