Supercharger closes a winner in the Secretariat Stakes

Allowance victor Supercharger made a three-wide charge in the homestretch, closing from sixth place to win Saturday in the Grade 2, $500,000 Secretariat Stakes for eight 3-year-olds racing 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf at Colonial Downs.

Trained by Cherie DeVaux and ridden for the first time by Manny Franco, the Constitution colt overcame a bobble at the start to get his third consecutive win.

“He’s a horse with a lot of talent,” DeVaux said. “He’s taken some time to mentally figure it out, and he's not 100% there yet.”

Click here for Colonial Downs entries and results.

Conducted (7-2), with Paco López riding, opened a sizable lead early through the first quarter-mile in 23.40 seconds. Street Beast (15-1), with Brian Hernandez Jr. up, closed ground up the backstretch in second as the first half-mile went in 47.68 seconds. The whole time Supercharger (3-1) bided his time toward the back of the eight-horse field.

Alpyland (1-1), the post-time favorite carrying Javier Castellano, made his move in the second turn and was on even terms with Conducted through six furlongs in 1:11.06. Supercharger still was in sixth place

In mid-stretch Alpyland led in the two path while Conducted stayed along the rail. Infiltrate (9-1), carrying Tyler Gaffalione, and Fuzzbuster (9-1), with John Velázquez, were in the next flight trying to mount a rally. Supercharger was up to fifth place and closing quickly.

Through a mile in 1:34.99, Alpyland had an advantage that was wilting with every stride as Infiltrate and Supercharger were lurking. Supercharger collared him in the last 50 yards to win by a half-length with a final time of 1:41.24 on the firm inner turf. He returned $8.40, $4.60 and $3.00.

Infiltrate came out ahead in the photo for second and paid $8.20 and $3.80. Alpyland finished third and paid $2.10 to show. Fuzzbuster crossed fourth followed in order by Turf Star (14-1), Conducted (7-2), Street Beast and Vino Solo (108-1). Redland Rebels was scratched.

Supercharger was bred in Kentucky by Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally and his wife, Debbie. A $225,000 purchase at the September 2024 Keeneland yearling sale, he broke his maiden for C R K Stable on third asking in a race against older competition May 9 at Churchill Downs. He followed with a top-level allowance victory June 18 over the same nine furlongs.