No Catching Highland Reel in the Secretariat

Even an ominous storm rolling in minutes prior to the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park could not bother Highland Reel as he cruised to an easy victory over the wet going. Highland Reef made every pole a winning one as he was never tested at any point of the 10-furlong grass test for 3-year-olds.

At the break all were even, except for the 3/2 favorite, Force the Pass, who was off a step slow. "When they opened the gate, he went straight up in the air. He can be like that and be nervous. He made a good run," jockey Joel Rosario said.

Past the finish line the first time, Highland Reel assumed a length advantage through an opening quarter mile in 24.53 seconds.

Turning up the backside, the 3-year-old son of Galileo increased his lead to three lengths, taking the field through the first half mile in a leisurely 50.09 seconds. Godolphin-owned Crittenden tracked in second. "I was happy with the trip. The rain didn't help us. Any chance that he had was affected by it. The pace was very stop-start and suited the winner. I was happy where we were. It was a lot of rain in a short space of time and the track felt a bit greasy," jockey William Buick said.

Going into the final turn Crittenden, War Dispatch, and undefeated Goldstream looked to challenge the leader, cutting the margin to a length, but Highland Reel began to inch his lead back out through 6 furlongs in 1:14.72. In the stretch, as the others were weakening, Highland Reel started to pour it on. When the dust settled, the margin of victory for French Derby runner-up was 5 ¼ lengths, stopping the clock in 2:02.26. "I didn't see much pace and he won easy," jockey Seamie Heffernan said.

Closing Bell (14-1) nosed out troubled Force the Pass for the runner-up spot. "I had a good trip, but it took him a little while to get going and to find his stride, and that cost us a bit of position, but when I asked him, he ran for me," jockey Jose Lezcano said.

This was jockey Heffernan’s first Secretariat victory, and trainer Aidan O’Brien’s fourth. Highland Reel return $6.80 to his backers and $267,300 to owners Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor. The same owner/trainer combo took last year’s Secretariat Stakes with Adelaide.