Belmont Derby (gr. IT) runner-up Adelaide charged down the center of the turf course at Arlington International Racecourse and edged away to a determined victory in the $500,000 Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) Aug. 16 as the 11-10 favorite (VIDEO).
Racing for trainer Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, the 3-year-old son of Galileo completed the 1 1/4-mile turf test in 2:02.31 after clearing tiring pacesetter Tourist in the final strides by 1 1/2 lengths.
"He's the best horse in the race going into it, just thought we would keep it simple," Moore said. "The horse on the lead was getting a bit of a soft hand, so didn't want to move up too early. Adelaide just had more class than the field and got the job done. He's run in France, Ireland, England, America, and America again."
Third behind opening fractions of :24.97 and :48.93, Adelaide steadily gathered momentum nearing upper stretch after three-quarters went in 1:13.54. Closing the gap on the pacesetter in tandem with General Jack after getting a mile in 1:37.94, he continued under vigorous urging in the final stages to prove best.
The winner returned $4.20, $2.60, and $2.20. Tourist was worth $3.40 and $2.60, while third-place finisher Sheldon paid $3.60. Global View, Highball, Divine Oath, and General Jack completed the order of finish. Belisarius and Can'thelpbelieving scratched.
Jockey Joel Rosario said Tourist, making his first start at the distance and his graded stakes debut after taking the July 18 Sir Cat Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, had good courage in second as his three-race win streak snapped.
"He ran well," Rosario said. "I had to move a little early and the horse that won the race (Adelaide) was there with me and he got me. It was his (Tourist's) first time going a mile and a quarter and he did well. I'd love to ride him back, for sure."
Adelaide, bred in Ireland out of the Elnadim mare Elletelle, races for Coolmore and partners and collected his third career victory from six starts. In those six starts, he has never been worse than second.