Secret Sector used her speed to set the pace, hold steady late and win The Bloom (GII) at BEL on Saturday, getting the six and half panels in 1:15.60.  Chocolatini was second with 99/1 shot Mondo Grosso getting third and lighting up the tote on the show payoff and the trifecta.

Away from the gate, Secret Sector right out to the lead, Danzig Ghost from the rail, Mondo Grosso with that one and She Is Diabolical between that pair.  Chocolatini just off of that group and Birthday Shot off a step slow and last.

Continue down the backside and now into the far turn with a half-mile left to run Secret Sector opened up a three length lead.  Danzig Ghost still on the rail, She Is Diabolical between horses and Mondo Grosso three wide.  Two more back to Chocolatini and Birthday Shot was outrun, nine lengths from the leader.

Around the far turn and to the top of the lane, past the three-sixteenth’s pole and Secret Sector on cruise control and in front by four lengths.  Mondo Grosso at 99/1 in second, Danzig Ghost to the inside and She Is Diabolical still between that pair.  Chocolatini swinging out five wide for the drive and starting to pick it up and Birthday Shot still at the rear, eight lengths from front to back.

Now inside the final 150-yards and to the finish, the field was gaining a bit, but this was all about pace winning the race…  Secret Sector in front and cruising home to win by about a length.  Chocolatini closed well to be second, just in front of long-shot Mondo Grosso, a clear third.  Danzig Ghost was fourth, She Is Diabolical in fifth and Birthday Shot was outrun throughout, and finished last in the field of six.

Secret Sector is a 4yo black filly by Die Laffin – Sector Eight, by Optimus Prime, and she was bred by Strangefate Stables in Tex.  Privately purchased for $600.000 back in March of 2014, she now has eight wins from twenty-four starts and earnings of $1,017.600, and she may be getting good at just the right time of the year.

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast          Time: :22⁴  :45²  1:09¹  1:15³
$1 Exacta: 6 – 5 Paid 20.60        $1 Trifecta: 6 – 5 – 4 Paid 1,724.70
Scratched: None

Categories: Grade II