Horse Race Preview: Race 9 – Grade II Secretariat Stakes at Colonial Downs

Top Contenders

Dream On (Post 8)

Trainer: Mark Casse

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Odds: 5/2

Form: 35-1511

Official Rating: 106

Notes: Winner of the Penn Mile (G3T). Tactical speed and strong late kick make him the one to beat.

Maui Strong (Post 2)

Trainer: Dale Romans

Jockey: Vincent Cheminaud

Odds: 7/2

Form: 323834

Official Rating: 108

Notes: Consistent turf form. Finished well in the William Garrett Handicap.

End of Romance (IRE) (Post 3)

Trainer: Graham Motion

Jockey: John Velazquez

Odds: 5/1

Form: 131-351

Official Rating: 107

Notes: Irish-bred gelding with strong closing ability. Won allowance at Belmont.

Full Field Breakdown

Post	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Odds	Rating	Form	Notes
1	Giocoso	J. Keith Desormeaux	Ben Curtis	6/1	94	361-055	G3-placed, needs pace to close
2	Maui Strong	Dale Romans	Vincent Cheminaud	7/2	108	323834	Tactical speed, consistent
3	End of Romance (IRE)	Graham Motion	John Velazquez	5/1	107	131-351	Irish-bred, strong closer
4	Simulate	Bill Mott	Junior Alvarado	8/1	96	61-41	Improving colt, stakes debut
5	Antisocial	Jorge Duarte Jr.	Luis Saez	10/1	101	33-131	Won allowance, needs step up
6	Anegada	Mike Maker	Tyler Gaffalione	12/1	101	3-81328	Gelding with solid turf form
7	Cairo Caper	Phil Schoenthal	Victor Carrasco	9/2	102	1154-72	Game gelding, second in last stakes
8	Dream On	Mark Casse	Javier Castellano	5/2	106	35-1511	Penn Mile winner, top turf miler

Strategic Insights

Pace Scenario: Simulate and Antisocial may push the early fractions. Dream On and End of Romance could benefit from a contested pace.

Track Bias: Colonial’s inner turf favors tactical speed and outside closers.

Trainer Trends: Casse and Motion have strong records with turf milers.

Top Pick: Dream On
Value Play: End of Romance (IRE)
Longshot to Watch: Simulate