Daddy Long Legs, the winner of the 2012 UAE Derby (G2), was installed as the 6-1, co-third choice on the morning line for Saturday’s Secretariat Stakes (G1) at Arlington Park. The start will be his third in America in nine months, with no success in the previous two goes (12th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on dirt, and an eased-home last in the Kentucky Derby, also over the Churchill Downs dirt). The Derby dud was the son of Scat Daddy’s first start after Dubai glory, a race that has yet to be meaningfully franked worldwide.
Starters from the 2012 edition of the UAE Derby are a combined 2-for-20 since, with the only wins coming from Mickdaam’s Chester Vase (G3) tally (the next three finishers behind him in that race have yet to come back, and the last place finisher is 0-for-3 since) and Falls of Lora’s success in the Coral Distaff (Listed) against fillies. More so, there have been just four other placings from those 20 starts, perhaps best represented by Lucky Chappy’s second behind Silver Max in the Virginia Derby (G2).
Silver Max is a strong 9-5 early choice for the Secretariat, a race won last year by 2012 Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) fourth Treasure Beach. The son of Badge of Silver, just a $20,000 auction purchase, has reeled off six consecutive wins, five in stakes company, and all on the grass. A Dale Romans trainee, Silver Max has never been headed in his string of wins, leading every step of the way and certifying a solid gallop for all trying to catch him.
1. Handsome Mike – 15-1
Trainer: Doug O’Neill, Jockey: Mario Gutierrez
2. Summer Front – 5-2
Trainer: Christophe Clement, Jockey: Ramon Dominguez
3. Cozzetti – 10-1
Trainer: Dale Romans, Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan
4. Finnegans Wake – 6-1
Trainer: Dale Romans, Jockey: Jose Lezcano
5. All Stormy – 20-1
Trainer: Greg Geier, Jockey: Rosemary Homeister Jr.
6. Daddy Long Legs – 6-1
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Colm O’Donoghue
7. Bayrir – 6-1
Trainer: Alain De Royer-Dupre, Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
8. Silver Max – 9-5
Trainer: Dale Romans, Jockey: Robby Albarado