Americans Have Early Secretariat Edge

This may be the year that the Americans have a visible upper hand in the Secretariat Stakes, with dynamite performances by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey’s Bobby’s Kitten and Glen Hill Farm’s Global View making them appear to be competitive with any turf sophomore the Europeans might throw this way.  Bobby’s Kitten, from the same ownership to annex last year’s Secretariat with Admiral Kitten, recently out-accelerated Global View in the $500,000 Penn Mile at Penn National.  Global View, a son of Galileo, looks to be a horse who will relish the 10 furlongs of the Secretariat and displays a closing punch seen often by the best of his sire’s line.

Major players worth watching are Spendthrift Farm’s Medal Count, Phipps Stable’s Mr. Speaker, Let’s Go Stable’s Divine Oath, Michael Tabor’s Gala Award, Santa Rosa Racing Stable’s Storming Inti, Team Block’s Afortable and the Ramseys’ We Miss Arti.  All have displayed the class needed to win the Secretariat and could easily jump up and join the aforementioned top two with impressive performances.  Two upcoming races to watch will be the Grade III American Derby on July 12 and the July 5 Grade I Belmont Derby.

AMERICAN ST. LEGER: DANDINO, SUNTRACER AND TEMERAINE LOOK TOUGH

Defending champion Dandino could be among the horses to beat this year after his easy win in 2013, despite a traffic-laden trip.  Trained by Marco Botti for Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, the 7-year-old is may utilize the same prep at Royal Ascot, the Group II Hardwicke Stakes over a testing 12 furlongs.  Also a strong possible for that race and a St. Leger nominee is Ed Dunlop trainee Joshua Tree.  A race to watch, the Hardwicke has produced both winners of the American St. Leger.

Two Americans who seem to stand out are Team Block’s Suntracer, who looks to be in the best form of his career, as evidenced by a photo-finish second to War Dancer in the Grade III Louisville Handicap last out at Churchill Downs.  The 6-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy is preparing, once again, in the Grade III Stars and Stripes on July 12 in which he may face fellow locally based St. Leger nominee Temeraine.  Last year a good fifth in the Million, the Tom Proctor-trained son of Arch has found a home in longer marathons for owner Niall Racing.  Needless to say, once again the Stars and Stripes will also have a great deal to say about the St. Leger.