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Leah's Secret gets up in time for Chicago WinStar Farm's LEAH'S SECRET (Tiger Ridge) had to await room and alter course during the stretch drive of Saturday's $144,500 Chicago H. (G3), but the five-year-old mare was along in time to claim the victory, catching a game Tequilas Dayjur (Dayjur) in the final strides for a three-quarters of a length decision. Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Rene Douglas, the 8-5 favorite notched her second graded win and improved her record to 21-6-4-2, $632,939. Pro Pink (Touch Gold) led the way early, establishing splits in :21 3/5 and :44 1/5, with Tequilas Dayjur in the perfect stalking spot in third and Leah's Secret saving ground in midpack. Tequilas Dayjur moved to the fore at the top of the stretch and appeared to have a big chance at the win when passing the six-furlong point in 1:09 with a one-length advantage, but Leah's Secret was beginning to close fast at this point. The winner completed seven furlongs over Arlington Park's Polytrack in 1:22. Leah's Secret returned $5.20, $3 and $2.60 and keyed the $28.60 exacta with the near 5-1 Tequilas Dayjur, who was good for $5 and $3.60. It was 2 3/4 lengths back to the 8-1 Dhanyata (Ire) (Danetime), who paid $5. The trifecta totaled $195.80, and the 10-5-9-6 superfecta, with 38-1 outsider Sweet Ambition (Menifee) on the bottom, was good for $2,943.60. Acadia Breeze (Royal Academy), 7-2 second choice Indescribable (Pleasant Tap), Mini Sermon (Pulpit), Pro Pink, Featherbed (Smart Strike) and Starry Pie (Pioneering) rounded out the order of finish. Akronism (Not for Love) was scratched. Bred in Florida by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds, Leah's Secret is the first foal from the winning Lady Cruella (Capote), who is also the dam of a yearling colt by Roar of the Tiger and a 2008 colt by Bluegrass Cat. The winner's third dam, the multiple stakes-winning Great Lady M. (Icecapade), is responsible for Horse of the Year and $3 million earner Lady's Secret (Secretariat). Leah's Secret adds the Chicago to victories in the 2006 runnings of the Raven Run S. (G2), Anne Arundel S. and Lazer Show H. She entered Saturday's race off a pair of runner-up finishes in the Louisville S. (G2) on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) undercard and the Arlington Matron H. (G3), and she has placed in a total of four stakes. Purchased for $50,000 as a yearling at the 2004 OBS August sale, the dark bay sold for $525,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November sale last fall.
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