Secretariat Stakes Tips & Betting Preview

Race Preview – 9.43pm Arlington

IN SUMMARY: Long Island Sound was rather disappointing in the Belmont Derby behind stablemate Deauville but this looks a slightly easier assignment and he should be in the mix. Our selection is going to be BEACH PATROL (5/2) for the Chad Brown stable, a trainer that mops up Graded races in America as if they are going out of fashion. This horse finished ahead of Long Island Sound when third in the Belmont Derby and a repeat of that effort should see the three year old colt very hard to beat. He is also slightly less exposed than the O’Brien runner so is open to plenty of improvement.

1 Cherry Wine (12/1) – Has not won a race from his last five starts and was seventh in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes in June. Won a poor race at Gulfstream back in January but his best effort came in the Preakness Stakes where he finished between Exaggerator and Nyquist in second. This is his first run on turf so this is a shot in the dark.

2 American Patriot (7/1) – Won the Grade 3 Kent Stakes at Delaware in taking fashion last month. This is his first time taking on Grade 1 horses but he looks a progressive horse. Well bred by War Front and is out of a full sister to Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed. Looks the each way play in the race.

3 Scissors And Tape (50/1) – Finished 2nd and 6th in two Allowance races. Impossible to fancy.

4 One Mean Man (20/1) – A horse that likes it here at Arlington; second to Surgical Strike in the Grade 3 Arlington Classic Stakes in May and won the Grade 3 American Derby here last month, just doing enough. May struggle to win but looks a very attractive price for each way purposes.

5 Cordon (50/1) – Won a maiden here at Arlington on debut but this is a huge step up in class. Best watched.

6 Oscar Nominated (16/1) – Won a Grade 3 over 1m 1f at Turfway Park in April but ran a poor race in the Kentucky Derby when 17th of the twenty runners behind Nyquist. That was no disgrace and can easily be forgiven as this is a much easier assignment. His second to One Mean Man here last time out gives him a place chance.

7 Surgical Strike (8/1) – Consistent performer that will not be far away if anywhere near his best. Results this year include a Grade 3 third at Turfway Park, third in the Grade 2 American Turf Stakes, winning the Grade 3 Arlington Classic Stakes and fifth in the Belmont Derby. He finds it hard to get his head in front usually but he is a danger to all.

8 Long Island Sound (5/2) – Went off the well backed favourite for the Belmont Derby but could only muster up a never nearer 6th behind stablemate Deauville. Finished third behind Hawkbill at Ascot which reads well but still has a bit to prove as War Front’s have a tendency to not train on after their two year old campaign (Albeit their stats in the USA are much more impressive).

9 Beach Patrol (5/2) – The most likely winner in the field after his fine third in the Belmont Derby. He was doing his best work late on in the race and the suspicion is we haven’t seen the best of this progressive colt yet. Trip, ground and track will all suit and he should take a bit of beating.