Oscar Performance makes the Secretariat his latest stage
Oscar Performance put in just that with a convincing victory in the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes to kick off the graded action on Arlington Million Day at Arlington Park.
Sonic Boom won the break with Jose Ortiz choosing to let speedy Oscar Performance sit just off that foe in second rather than challenge for the lead. Afandem got the rail trip in third with Permian just to his outside in fourth. Taj Mahal took up the fifth running position with Gorgeous Kitten as the trailer.
With no pressure from Oscar Performance, Sonic Boom was allowed to set very reasonable splits. He put up the opening half in :49.51 and the mile in a leisurely 1:38.03.
In the far turn, the field paired up. Oscar Performance moved to challenge Sonic Boom, the previous duo of Afandem and Permain moved closer to the leaders, and Gorgeous Kitten moved on even terms with Taj Mahal.
Spinning for home, Ortiz gave Oscar Performance his cue, and the ridgling took off. With nothing but grass in front of him, the winner lost no time in getting to the wire, stopping the clock in 2:01.79 for the 10 furlong event.
Taj Mahal got up from second to last to nab the place, 2 ¼ lengths behind the winner and 1 ½ lengths ahead of third place finisher Afandem. Sonic Boom faded to fourth, Gorgeous Kitten was fifth, and Permian rounded out the field.
Right after the wire, Permian broke down in his left front, throwing jockey William Buick hard to the ground. Buick was conscious, had movement of his limbs, and was being transported to the hospital, but Permian’s injury was such that he had to be humanely euthanized.
“He [Oscar Performance] was sitting very comfortably in second and when I asked him to go he ran very well,” said winning jockey Jose Ortiz. “I love that Brian [Lynch] gave me the opportunity on this horse. I’m very happy I won the race for them [connections John Amerman and Brian Lynch].”
Winning trainer Brian Lynch was unavailable for comment, but owner John Amerman stated post-race, “You’re never confident until the finish line but they were very good horses and so we’re delighted Jose could ride so well and beat them. I said good luck [to Jose Ortiz before the race] because he knows the horse and has ridden him ever since his first race.”
Oscar Performance, well-backed at odds of 3-2, paid $5.00, $3.40, and $2.40. Runner-up Taj Mahal returned $6.00 and $4.00, and Afandem returned $3.20. The $1 exacta paid $18.50, the $0.50 trifecta returned $31.05, and the $0.10 superfecta was worth $18.67.
By Kitten’s Joy and out of the Theatrical mare Devine Actress, Oscar Performance is a homebred for Mrs. Jerry Amerman of Amerman Racing LLC and is a full brother to grade 3 winner Oscar Nominated. He is now 9: 6-0-0 in his career, with prior big wins coming in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational.