FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
International Festival of Racing Notes: Wednesday, August 13, 2014 – First Edition
In Today's Notes:
- Secretariat Entrant Tourist At Home On the Turf
SECRETARIAT ENTRANT TOURIST AT HOME ON THE TURF
It's understandable that breeder WinStar Farm would want to give Tourist—the homebred Tiznow colt out of an Unbridled's Song mare it co-owns with Gary Barber—every chance to run on the main track, but when Tourist began his career with four losses by a combined 23 lengths, Racing Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott knew it was time for a change.
So in his fifth career start, Tourist tried the turf and responded emphatically with a maiden score on Feb. 8 at Gulfstream Park. Four months later he returned to Belmont Park—site of his first two career losses—but this time on turf and won in gate-to-wire fashion by 5 ¾ lengths.
"We thought the horse had a lot of talent, and we felt like there was something that was going to improve him and thought, 'A surface change might help'," Mott said. "We made the switch, and he responded well."
That's putting it mildly considering Tourist is undefeated in three starts on the turf, including a 1 ¾-length score in his added money debut, the $100,000 Sir Cat Stakes on opening day at Saratoga Race Course, and now he is one of the top choices for the $500,000 Secretariat Stakes on Saturday at Arlington International Racecourse.
"It wasn't surprising to see him run so well [in the Sir Cat]," Mott said. "After seeing his first two starts on the grass, we knew he belonged at this level, and now we have an opportunity to run in a Grade I."
Tourist pressed the pace in his turf debut at 1 1/16 miles and was on the lead in his next two starts, which were both at a mile. He will stretch out to 1¼ miles for the Secretariat with jockey Joel Rosario—on board for the maiden and Sir Cat wins—in from New York for the mount.
"I expect him to be forwardly placed," Mott said. "He's got speed but can rate."
Rating might be necessary with trainer Aidan O'Brien entering Belisarius as a rabbit for stablemate, Belmont Derby runner-up, and morning line favorite Adelaide.
The 1 ¼-mile-distance should not be an issue for Tourist, as his sire, Tiznow, is a multiple Grade I winner at the classic distance, including consecutive editions of the Breeders' Cup Classic en route to multiple Eclipse Awards. Tourist is also inbred to the winning Prince Blessed mare Incantation, a family that includes Grade I-winning routers Unbridled's Song and Seattle Song.
Tourist has won three of seven starts and has earned $156,830. As two of four trainers with two wins in the Secretariat, Either Mott or O'Brien could be the first trainers to win the Secretariat three times. Mott also has multiple wins in the Beverly D., and he won the 1994 Million with Paradise Creek.
-END-
David Zenner│Senior Manager of Communications
Arlington International Racecourse
2200 W. Euclid Ave. Arlington Heights IL 60006-0007
P 847.385.7535│C: 847.371.1670 | F: 847.870.6727│E: David.Zenner@arlingtonpark.com
Twitter: @dave_zenner, @arlingtonracing
________________________________
This Churchill Downs Incorporated communication (including any attachments) is intended for the use of the intended recipient(s) only and may contain information that is confidential, privileged or legally protected. Any unauthorized use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender by return e-mail message and delete all copies of the original communication. Thank you for your cooperation.
