Kicking off the Grade 1 stakes trio at Arlington is the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes (G1), a 1 1/4 mile trip over the turf for 3-year-olds. A field of 8 went to post with Silver Max sent off as the 2-1 favorite off a 6 race winning streak including the American Turf (G2) and the Virginia Derby (G2). In to challenge him included 5-2 second choice Summer Front, winner of the Hill Prince (G3) and the Duluth Stakes, and 3-1 third choice Bayrir, winner of the Prix Eugene Adam-Grand Prix de Maisons-Laffitte (G2) last out in France.
Jockey Robby Albarado sent favorite Silver Max to the lead first time by and he set easy fractions of 24.65, 48.94, and 1:13.25 over the good turf while as many as 2 lengths in front of Summer Front and 6-1 Daddy Long Legs. On the far turn Daddy Long Legs gained a short lead through 1 mile in 1:37.63 but tired badly soon after, allowing Summer Front to inherit the lead. Summer Front opened up a 1 1/2 length lead at the 1/8 pole, but Bayrir, 7th early, closed late to win by 1 1/4 lengths over late-running 8-1 Finnegans Wake in 2:02.92. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Summer Front third, while favorite Silver Max checked in fifth.
On to the 2012 Arlington Million and American St. Leger Stakes won by Little Mike and Jakkalberry.
