Highlight ‘Reel’ Continues for Galileo in Secretariat

Aidan O’Brien already boasted a record three wins in this event, and added to that tally with the super-impressive and aggressively ridden Highland Reel, the third winner since 2011 in this race for these connections sired by Coolmore Ireland resident Galileo (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells). A winner of Goodwood’s G2 Vintage S. in his final juvenile appearance last July, the bay returned off the bench to finish sixth in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains at Longchamp May 10, and improved to second three weeks later in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly. He could only manage fifth in the G1 Irish Derby June 27, but ended his winless drought last time in the 1 1/2-mile G3 Gordon S. back at Goodwood July 29.

Having never shown much speed across the Atlantic, Highland Reel was sent straight out to the front, and found himself all alone after race favorite and expected pace player Force the Pass broke in the air and was relegated to last. Seemingly washed out from the humid Chicago weather, the invader posted splits of :24.53, :50.09 and 1:14.72. Given his cue to quicken at the head of the lane, he shut the door on his competition in a matter of strides to win as he pleased. Closing Bell and Force the Pass, fourth and first, respectively, in the GI Belmont Derby last time, both closed well to fill out the major placings.

“I didn’t see much pace and he won easy,” offered winning pilot Seamie Heffernan. T. J. Comerford, assistant to O’Brien, added, “Nobody seemed to want to make [the pace], and if they don’t want to make it, Aidan has no problem making it. There’s no point in turning it into a crawl either.” As for what might be next for the 3-year-old, Comerford said, “That’s Aidan’s call. Aidan likes the horse and there are plenty of races for him.”

The winner’s second dam was Australian Group 1 winner Circles of Gold, who produced Elvstroem (Aus) (Danehill), winner of the G1 Dubai Duty Free and four Australian Group 1s; and Australian and English champion Haradasun (Aus) (Fusaichi Pegasus), who took the 2008 G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot for O’Brien.

 

Saturday, Arlington Park
SECRETARIAT S.-GI, $450,000, AP, 8-15, 3yo,
1 1/4mT, 2:02.26, fm.
1–&HIGHLAND REEL (IRE), 121, c, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Hveger (Aus) (MGSP-Aus), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Circles Of Gold (Aus), by Marscay (Aus)
3rd Dam: Olympic Aim, by Zamazaan (Fr)
(460,000gns Ylg ’13 TAOCT). O-Derrick Smith,
Susan Magnier & Michael B. Tabor; B-Hveger
Syndicate (Ire); T-Aidan P. O’Brien; J-Seamie
Heffernan. $267,300. Lifetime Record: 8-4-2-0,
$854,823. *1/2 to Valdemoro (Aus) (Encosta de
Lago {Aus}), MG1SP-Aus, $337,006. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating:
A+++. *Triple Plus*.
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2–Closing Bell, 119, c, 3, Tapit–Rehear, by Coronado’s
Quest. ($400,000 Ylg ’13 KEESEP). O-WinStar Farm
LLC; B-W. S. Farish & Lazy F Ranch (KY); T-William I.
Mott. $89,100.
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3–Force the Pass, 126, c, 3, Speightstown–Social
Queen, by Dynaformer. O-Richard Santulli; B-Colts
Neck Stables LLC (KY); T-Alan E. Goldberg. $44,550.
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Margins: 5 1/4, HD, 3. Odds: 2.40, 14.70, 1.50.
Also Ran: Goldstream (Ity), Crittenden, War Dispatch, Granny’s Kitten.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.