The Secretariat Stakes is a Grade 1 race named after the colt that I and many others consider to be the greatest horse to ever set foot on a track. The 1973 Triple Crown winner’s namesake race is for three-year-olds going 10 furlongs on the grass.  Perhaps the most notable winner was Kitten’s Joy in 2004 who went on to win the Eclipse Award for U.S. Champion Male Turf Horse. Three of his sons are entered in this years running of the race.

Newsdad (Arch x Storm Tracer by Pulpit) Rallied from well back to be fourth in the Virginia Derby last out. Turf is clearly his best surface and that was the first time he had been on the weeds since March when he was third in the Palm Beach. Trainer Bill Mott throws on blinkers for this race and brings in Joel Rosario to ride. He will be live at a big price.

Ziyarid (Desert Style x Zayanida by King’s Best) Enters this race after taking three in a row overseas the last of which was a wire to wire score at Longchamp against Group 3 company. Tough call on his chances, but I wouldn’t be shocked in the slightest to see him run a big race. Love that Lemaire is making the trip to ride for owner Aga Khan. He is on the way up.

Treasure Beach (Galileo x Honerine by Mark of Esteem) Just missed at huge odds in the Epsom Derby before scoring in the Irish Derby earning RPR’s of 122 and 116, respectively. After that he was a disappointing fourth in the Group 1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris. He will look to get back on track here cutting back in distance for trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Colm O’Donoghue. This is a class drop for him and most of his American counterparts probably wont be able to keep up if he runs his Epsom or Irish Derby race.

Crimson China (Giant’s Causeway x Parisian Affair by Mr. Greeley) Likely to go in the Hall of Fame race at Saratoga. Would be a serious outsider if they decided to send him here.

Casino Host (Dynaformer x Ensenada by Seeking The Gold) Ran huge to be third in the Virginia Derby at long odds last out. It looks like turf routing is his calling. Ramon Dominguez gets the mount for trainer Chad Brown. Hard to see him winning this, but a minor award looks quite possible.

Suntracer (Kitten’s Joy x Taxable Deduction by Prized) Deep closer was second to Willcox Inn in each of his last two races. He will need a torrid pace and a little luck to impact this Grade 1 race.

Banned (Kitten’s Joy x Cardinalli by Capote) Clearly, this colt is America’s best hope of winning the Secretariat Stakes. He won the Grade 2 American Turf at Churchill Downs by 4 ½ lengths to start the year before winning against a short field in the Jefferson Cup. Last out he was second beaten a neck in the Virginia Derby after a somewhat troubled trip. Garrett Gomez will get the mount back for trainer Thomas Proctor. If he runs his best race he can hang with Treasure Beach and certainly could beat him.

Derby Kitten (Kitten’s Joy x Blush by Menifee) Deep closer is going to love the extra ground this race offers. After finishing third in the American Derby from well off the pace he figures to be a long shot, but with top jockey Julien Leparoux in his corner he could get a piece at a huge price.

Willcox Inn (Harlan’s Holiday x De Aar by Gone West) Once he took command in the American Derby it was all over for everyone else. It looks like the colt is finally hitting his best stride. They are asking a lot for him to win here, but he may be up to the task. One thing I like about him is that his Beyer Speed Figure has gone up in every single one of his seven lifetime races. If he goes forward again he could be tough to hold off in the lane.

L’Aiglon (Montjeu x Look To The King by Kingmambo) Just won a claiming race and doesn’t stand a chance here. Would be maybe the biggest upset in the last 10 or 20 years if he won.

My top pick to win the Secretariat Stakes from Arlington Park is the Irish bred colt, Ziyarid. He could have a pace advantage for Aga Khan with top jockey Christophe Lemaire in the irons. He will be a decent price as those looking to back a European horse will likely go to Treasure Beach instead.

I highly suggest heading over to Twin Spires to bet Ziyarid. They are offering a $100 sign up bonus for new players signing up through our site.