Powerful Connections Pass Secretariat Torch to Highland Reel
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Highland Reel (above) comes from the powerful Ballydoyle Stable of trainer Aidan O'Brien, who is seeking his third win in five years in the Secretariat Stakes on Saturday at Arlington Park. (All photo by Melissa Bauer-Herzog)
From one of the most dominant barns in the world, Highland Reel has danced many big dances in his career in three different countries. Today, he will be adding a fourth country to that résumé when he runs in the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park.
A big colt by leading sire Galileo, Highland Reel’s career started on a high note in his second start when he won a maiden race by 12 lengths while also showing he had a lot to learn. That maiden victory led to Highland Reel running in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes in his next start. He lived up to the promise he had shown earlier in the year when winning the race by 2 ¼ lengths before taking the rest of the year off.
Highland Reel did not reappear on the racetrack until one of the European spring classics, a common move overseas, finished a disappointing sixth in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas).
However, when stretching out to more than a mile for the first time in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby), Highland Reel showed that he loved the added ground. Unfortunately for Highland Reel, he ran into New Bay, who easily won that race by 1 ½ lengths. Highland Reel finished second, 1 ¾ lengths ahead of fellow Secretariat entrant War Dispatch. Two starts later, Highland Reel returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since the Vintage Stakes when winning the Group 3 Gordon Stakes by 1 ½ lengths on July 29.
HIGHLAND REEL AT ARLINGTON
Trainer Aidan O'Brien isn’t shy about wheeling horses back in a few weeks while also shipping them around the world, and Highland Reel is no exception. Shipping into Arlington Park on Tuesday, Highland Reel will face to take on a very competitive field in the Secretariat in an attempt to give O’Brien his second consecutive victory in that race.
Coming onto the track for the first time on Thursday after clearing quarantine, other than getting a little hot which is normal for him, Highland Reel seemed to be fine with the track. O’Brien’s assistant trainer T.J. Comerford has said that the horse is taking the travel and new environment all in stride.
“None of this bothers them. Our horse seems to be hardened to the whole thing and enjoying it,” he said. “He looks well, and I wouldn’t be looking toward anyone else or want to have any other horse. You bring him here because you think he is what he is – and he’s a decent horse and we’re hoping he wins.”
HIGHLAND REEL AT ARLINGTON
One difference between O’Brien’s winner last year and Highland Reel is that the 2014 winner, Adelaide, was more laid back and went on to win the Cox Plate in Australia.
“Adelaide was a lot cooler customer,” Comerford said. “He went to Australia after and took it all in stride. He was a handy horse, but this one is a fine, big Galileo. He was second in the French Derby and won a Group 2 at Goodwood at two. He’s been around and it stands to him that he has plenty of experience going into the race. He’s a decent horse.”
If Highland Reel does pull off the win, it will be the third victory in the last five years (Treasure Beach in 2011 is the other) for trainer Aidan O’Brien, the Coolmore ownership group and super-stallion Galileo.
$450,000 Secretariat StakesSaturday, Arlington Park, Race 8, 5:17 p.m. ET1 ¼ mile, turf, 3-year-olds
PP
Horse
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Odds
1
Closing Bell
Jose Lezcano
Bill Mott
WinStar Farm
10-1
2
Force the Pass
Joel Rosario
Alan Goldberg
Richard Santull
2-1
3
Goldstream
Brenton Avdulla
Andreas Wohler
Australian Bloodstock
9-2
4
Crittenden
William Buick
Eoin Harty
Godolphin Racing
12-1
5
Granny's Kitten
Irad Ortiz Jr.
Mike Maker
Ken and Sarah Ramsey
10-1
6
Highland Reel
Seamie Heffernan
Aidan O'Brien
Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael B. Tabor
5-2
7
War Dispatch
Ioritz Mendizabal
Jean-Claude Rouget
Joseph Allen
4-1