Kicking off the graded stakes action on Saturday at Arlington was the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes (G1), featuring a field of nine 3-year-olds going the Million trip of 1 1/4 miles on turf. Tizdejavu was sent off as the even-money favorite off a 3-race win streak, including the Crown Royal American Turf, Jefferson Cup, and American Derby, the major local prep for this race. In to challenge the son of Tiznow included 5-2 second choice and IEAH Stables colorbearer Plan, winner of the International Stakes at the Curragh last time out, and 7-1 third choice Winchester, also shipping in from Ireland for trainer Dermot Weld, where he was 7th in the Irish Derby in his last start.
Tizdejavu took over the lead first time past the stands and was allowed an uncontested lead of as many as 2 1/2 lengths while setting easy fractions of 25.38, 49.64, 1:13.84, and 1:37.39. Sr. Henry, Secret Getaway, and Winchester stayed just off the pace down the backstretch. Turning for home, new jockey Rene Douglas moved Winchester out wide for the drive, and the son of Theatrical responded when asked, surging ahead of Tizdejavu at the 1/4 pole and opening up a 2 length lead in mid-stretch. Plan, who raced in fifth the whole way, rallied well through the lane but Winchester was long gone, cruising under the line 7 1/4 lengths in front in a time of 2:01.76 over the firm going. It was another 2 1/2 lengths back from Plan to Tizdejavu third.
