The Secretariat Stakes – GI (P1)
8/10/19
AP Race 2 1M – Turf
Purse $500.000
Three Year Olds

A field of eight three year old turf runners are entered up for this years running of the grade one Secretariat Stakes over the Arlington Park turf course. It is a good field and it is part of a very good race day. Let’s take a look at the field.

1. Cherra Grans (12-4-4-2 $464.400), trained by Team 7 Illusions

The first of three that are coming out of the grade one Belmont Derby and this runner ran tenth that day. He won the grade two American Turf before that so maybe his last start was just a bad day at the office. I think if he returns to form he has a good chance.

2. Magne Bern (11-5-1-2 $418.680), trained by Gdp Inc

This next runner is coming into this race off of a third place finish in the grade three Quick Call at Saratoga. That was going five and a half furlongs though and this is big stretch out. He is good at the distance so I think he can have a chance if he has some racing luck.

3. City Of Bones (9-3-2-2 $550.600), trained by John Henry

One of the other ones that is coming out of the grade one Belmont Derby where he needed finishing a distant thirteenth. He ran a bad race that day but he won two graded stakes races in a row before that. I think a mile is his best distance for sure.

4. Pxg (8-3-1-0 $166.100), trained by Mb Stables

The first of two in this field for Mb Stables right here and this one is coming into this race off of some dirt races. He just ran a bad ninth in the grade three Indiana Derby in his last start. He hasn’t won on the turf so I don’t know if he will improve with the surface switch.

5. Dreaming Of Pirates (8-3-1-0 $140.000), trained by Estero Farms

This next runner right here is coming into this race off of a stakes win in the Manila at Belmont. He ran a very good race that day but this is a jump in class for sure. He will need to run a very big race to get the win but maybe he is improving at the right time.

6. Dreamscape (10-3-0-1 $281.150), trained by Joshua Stables

Here is a horse that was on the Triple Crown trail earlier this year. He made a return to the turf in his last start and he won that race but it was against thirty five dollar claimers. He is going to have to really step it up to have a chance in this race.

7. Command Authority (10-3-0-0 $119.560), trained by Joshua Stables

The second runner for Joshua Stables right here and another one that is coming out of the grade three Quick Call. He ran a bad ninth in there that day but I think he is better at longer distances. He likes to come from way back so I quick pace will help him out.

8. Arkenstone (13-5-3-1 $614.380), trained by Mb Stables

And the final runner in the field just ran a very good second in the grade one Belmont Derby in his last out. That was a very good race from him for sure. He has been knocking on the door in his last couple big stakes and I think he can get a win here.

Summary

Well a good variety of runners coming into this race from a lot of different spots. My top pick has to be the outside runner Arkenstone off of a few good races in a row. He looks like the one to beat to me. Good luck to all in the field.

8-3-2-5

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES