French invader Bayrir showcased a determined turn-of-foot to wear down a game Summer Front to win the $500,000 Secretariat Stakes (gr. I) at Arlington Park on Saturday afternoon.
Under a skillful ride from Christophe Lemaire, Bayrir was a bit slow from the starting gate and found himself racing in seventh position early on, about ten lengths behind favored Silver Max, who carved out moderate fractions of :24.65 and :48.94 while being tracked by Summer Front, Handsome Mike, and Daddy Long Legs. Cozzetti and All Stormy were racing toward the rear of the field, while Finnegans Wake was the trailer.
Following the opening half-mile, Daddy Long Legs made a bold and sustained run on the far outside, a rally which put him ahead of Silver Max with a quarter mile to run. But his efforts left him with nothing in the tank for the stretch drive, and the colt soon retreated to last place. However, this did not leave Silver Max with the lead, as Summer Front was rallying strongly and quickly surpassed the front-runner. He appeared to be on his way to victory, but Bayrir was putting in a terrific run in between horses and burst clear to win by 1 1/4 lengths, stopping the clock for ten furlongs on turf in 2:02.92 seconds.
Finnegans Wake rallied well to finish second, 1 1/4 lengths clear of Summer Front. Handsome Mike, Silver Max, Cozzetti, All Stormy, and Daddy Long Legs completed the order of finish.
The winner is owned by H. H. Aga Khan and is trained by Alain De Royer-Dupre.
-Keelerman
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