Carrick Bombs Tote in G1 Secretariat

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL – Donegal Racing’s Carrick blew up the toteboard with a flourish at 38/1 odds on Saturday, pouncing off of the far turn before holding off the 4/5 favorite Analyze It late to take the Grade 1, $400,000 Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park.

Breaking well from post 4 under John Velazquez, Carrick was content to sit in fifth early while Hunting Horn pushed Real Story through opening splits of :22.80, :47.27, 1:11.62, and 1:36.51 for the opening mile. Initially running two-wide as he exited the far turn, Carrick was sent four-wide to the front and took command from Analyze It. A late run from his favored foe wasn’t enough, and Carrick was able to cross the wire ahead by a neck in a final time of 2:01.04 for the 1 1/4-mile turf event.

“He broke well, and going past the wire for the first time, he settled really well,” Velazquez said. “By the backstretch, I was in a perfect position, and I was very happy with the way he was doing things. After that, really, I was just waiting for the stretch run to see how he would respond for me, and he responded right away.”

Carrick (outside) beats Analyze It by a neck (Credit: Coady Photography)

A total of 2 lengths separated third from ninth. Bandua nosed out Platinum Warrior for top honors in that group, with necks separating Captivating Moon and Ming. Just a 1/2-length back, Untamed Domain necked out Hunting Horn and Real Story. Further behind them, Sniper Kitten, Dubby Dubbie, Lucius Tiberius, and Pont Du Gard completed the order of finish.

Carrick’s win was his first in a stakes event and improved his overall record to 4-3-0-1, with his lone loss coming in the Grade 3 Kent Stakes at Churchill Downs. The Tom Morley-trained 3-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway increased his bankroll to $302,800 – not bad considering he debuted in a $40,000 maiden claiming race at Belmont Park in May.

“We were confident,” said Jerry Crawford, the managing partner of Donegal Racing. “We knew he’d run well, but to beat this field is really extraordinary.”

Carrick returned $78.20 to win, $16.80 to place, and $9.20 to show. Analyze It brought back $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show, while Bandua paid $12.60 to show.