Belisarius Scratched From Secretariat Stakes

Irish import Belisarius will not run in the $500,000 Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) Aug. 16 at Arlington International Racecourse, the track reported. 



The consistent son of Montjeu had cleared quarantine, but developed a minor problem, reported Aidan O'Brien's traveling head lad Pat Keating Aug. 15.

 

"He had a bit of a cough yesterday and a bit of a cough this morning, as well," Keating said. "We decided not to run."

 

Owned by the partnership of Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, and Brous Stable, the bay sophomore was entering the 1 1/4-mile turf event off a second-place finish in the listed Lenebane Stakes at Roscommon in Ireland.



Expected to show speed in his American debut, the Irish-bred's absence now makes WinStar Farm and Gary Barber's Tourist the lone speed.



Also to be scratched from the Secretariat is Can'thelpbelieving, who did not make the trip as expected from Maryland. The defections reduce the field to seven.



Meanwhile, three other representatives of Ballydoyle cleared quarantine at Arlington as well Friday morning.



The Irish powerhouse trio was led by Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) winner and Arlington Million (gr. IT) favorite Magician. The other two, Adelaide in the Secretariat and Eye of The Storm in the listed $400,000 American St. Leger, are expected to be well supported at the windows as well.



All three hit the track at 7:30 a.m. without issue.

 

"Perfect.  Everything has gone well for Magician—as well as the rest of the horses," Keating said. "(Magician) shipped in well and has done what we've asked him to do. We're very happy with him this morning. All we need is a bit of luck tomorrow with all of them. He seems to be the same as last year when he shipped (to America)."

 

Magician enters the Million off a subpar effort in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Eng-I) at Ascot over 1 1/2 miles. Shortening up to the 1 1/4 miles of the Million, the son of Galileo returns to the distance at which he recorded excellent seconds in two group I races this year, the Tattersalls Gold  Cup at The Curragh May 25 and the Prince of Wales's Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting June 18. 



Owned by Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith ,and Mrs. John Magnier, Magician made a positive impression in his first survey of the course.

 

Walking directly astern Magician as he made his way to the main track Friday morning was lightly raced Adelaide. Strikingly similar in appearance to his older stablemate, Adelaide has not been worse than second in five career starts and exits a neck loss in the Belmont Derby Invitational (gr. IT) July 5. 



That effort came 15 days after a runner-up finish in the King Edward VII Stakes (Eng-II) at Royal Ascot over a grueling 1 1/2 miles. Under the allowance conditions, Adelaide carries 119 pounds—including jockey Ryan Moore—four pounds under the less heralded trio of stakes winners Global View, General Jack, and Divine Oath.

 

"Adelaide is acting the same as last time in New York," Keating remarked. "He and (Magician) look like twins.  Both are very quiet horses, very straight-forward." Owned by Smith, et al, Adelaide is the 8-5 morning line favorite in the Secretariat.

 

Eye of The Storm, a chestnut son of Galileo, is also to be ridden by Moore. Eye of The Storm was born without his left eye—but such has not stopped him from winning four of his 11 starts.  A winner last out in the Ballyroan Stakes (Ire-III) at Leopardstown, the 4-year-old colt with a 6-1 morning line will be tough to beat at the 1 11/16-miles distance of the American St. Leger.

 

"He always looks around and takes everything in," Keating said. "I think he has a good chance. I think all three have big chances."