Secretly Wicked Wins on Debut for Wicked Strong
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Secretly Wicked (outside) wins on debut over a sloppy track at Keeneland
Three freshman sires were represented by their first starters April 7 at Keeneland in a $60,000 maiden special weight, and all three hit the board despite the rainy conditions.
Finishing in front was 2-year-old filly Secretly Wicked, a daughter of Spendthrift Farm's Wicked Strong . Breaking midpack under jockey Paco Lopez, the chestnut filly pressed the pace outside of Competitive Queen—the first starter for Ashford Stud's Competitive Edge —who led the field through the first quarter-mile in :23.05.
Holding on to a slim lead at the top of the stretch, Secretly Wicked moved up three wide to take control, dueled briefly with Competitive Queen, and finally edged away to win by a half-length.
Despite a late start, Palace Duchess—the first starter for Spendthrift Farm's Palace —moved up between rivals in a late rally for third. Final time for the 4 1/2-furlong sprint was :54.05 over a sloppy (sealed) track.
Bred in Kentucky by Nancy Shuford, Secretly Wicked is the first foal of the Congrats mare Secret Congrats, who has a Strong Mandate yearling colt and a Competitive Edge colt foaled last month.
Owned and trained by Jack Hancock, Secretly Wicked was a $1,300 RNA from the consignment of Elm Tree Farm to the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Wicked Strong, who ran the fastest time of 1:49.31 in the 2015 Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) since the record was previously set in 2005, retired to Spendthrift as Hard Spun 's most accomplished son in North America with earnings of $1,994,460.