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Sarah's Secret remains unbeaten in Honeymoon

Sarah's Secret maintained a narrow but comfortable advantage through the stretch in posting her first stakes victory (Benoit Photos) SARAH'S SECRET (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]) went straight to the front when the gates opened in Saturday's $150,000 Honeymoon H. (G2) at Hollywood Park and after dueling for the opening six furlongs, edged away to a half-length victory in her stakes debut. Now four-for-four in her career, the Kathy Walsh pupil confirmed her status as a promising up-and-comer in the three-year-old filly turf division. With Rafael Bejarano in the saddle, the chestnut lass recorded fractions in :24 4/5, :50, 1:15 and 1:38 2/5 en route to completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:50 on the firm ground. Sent off the near 4-1 third choice in the nine-horse field, Sarah's Secret paid $9.80, $4.60 and $3.20. Senorita (G3) winner Star Billing (Dynaformer), who sustained her first setback in only her third career start, chased the pacesetter throughout before settling for runner-up honors as the 9-5 favorite, a head better than the late-running Cambina (Ire) (Hawk Wing), who was off as the 3-1 second choice.

Entrustment (Forestry) wound up another half-length back in fourth and was followed by Up in Time (GB) (Noverre), Bonita Star (GB) (Beat Hollow [GB]), Whisper Louise (Ire) (Chevalier), Singapore Lilly (Ire) (Mujadil) and Slane Castle (Castledale [Ire]).

Sarah's Secret, who races in the colors of Joan Hadley Thoroughbreds and Al & Sandee Kirkwood, won her career debut at Del Mar last summer, scoring in a 5 1/2-furlongs maiden special weight on the Polytrack. After capturing a 6 1/2-furlong, entry-level allowance on the Cushion Track at Hollywood Park in early October, she was sidelined seven months, returning with an allowance score going six furlongs on the local turf. She made a seamless transition to longer distances in the Honeymoon and doubled her career earnings to $177,000.

Bred in Kentucky by Hadley, Sarah's Secret is the second foal out of the Argentinean Group 2-winning Sarasota (Arg) (Luhuk), who is also the dam of the unraced juvenile filly In Nikki's Honour (Honour and Glory) and a yearling colt by Salute the Sarge. Sarasota hails from a solid South American family that includes Group 2 winner Sardinia (Fort de France [Arg]) and Group 3 winners Sarawak (Salt Marsh), Sun Lounge (Solazo).

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