Aidan O'Brien's Ciro (48-10) won the $400,000 Grade One Secreteriat Stakes (10f) on the resurrected Arlington International Festival in Chicago on Saturday. Never worse than fifth, Mick Kinane's mount produced a power-packed finish that enabled him to nail the odds-on King Cugat (Jerry Bailey) by a length.
Kinane said: "He took a while to get going. They went a good gallop, and, as soon as the pace slackened, I was able to work my way home. `'
Dermot Weld's Pine Dance, the American Derby winner, failed to do himself justice by bringing up the rear under Eddie Ahern.
Ciro's victory deprived Jerry Bailey of a grade one cleansweep which began in the $500,000 Grade One Beverly D Stakes on Snow Polina. O'Brien's Alluring was sixth. "I had to wait until turning for home, otherwise she ran well enough," said Kinane.