Belmont Derby Key to Secretariat Field

Next weekend's Grade I Belmont Derby Invitational on July 5 could play a key role in shaping the field for the 2014 Grade I Secretariat Stakes five weeks later, especially with serious players from both sides of the pond scheduled to compete - and most of them nominated to the Secretariat.

One who definitely has the Secretariat on his radar is Global View, a Kentucky-bred son of Galileo owned by the Chicago natives of Glen Hill Farm and trained by Tom Proctor, who keeps a string at Arlington.  The talented $500,000 purchase has been training locally in preparation for his rematch with Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey's Bobby's Kitten, who defeated him in the Penn Mile last out at a distance short of his best.

Bobby's Kitten, a speedy and talented son of Kitten's Joy, will receive his first true stamina test in the Belmont Derby and could also be a candidate for the Secretariat if he passes with flying colors.  Trained by 2014 Million-winning conditioner Chad Brown, Bobby's Kitten has always been well regarded by his connections and went off as the favorite in the 2013 Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf before finishing third to Godolphin's recent Group I St. James's Palace Stakes third-place finisher Outstrip.

European Toast of New York looks to vie for favoritism with the aforementioned locals.  A winner of the Group II UAE Derby in March for owner Michael Buckley, his connections' goal has been to land a Group or Grade I with him this season.  According to the International Racing Bureau, the Secretariat is also under viable consideration for the Jamie Osborne-trained son of Thewayyouare.