Arlington International Racecourse Barn Notes

By Ryan Martin —-

Romans Considering Grade I Secretariat for Free Drop Billy
E.T. Baird Excited to Be Back in the Saddle

ROMANS CONSIDERING GRADE I SECRETARIAT FOR FREE DROP BILLY

Trainer Dale Romans indicated that 2018 Triple Crown contender Free Drop Billy could make the switch over to grass for the Grade I $400,000 Secretariat Stakes on Saturday, Aug. 11. The 1 1/8-miles turf event for 3-year-olds is just one of five stakes carded for the Arlington International Festival of Racing. The Bruce D. Memorial Stakes, Grade III Pucker Up, Grade I Beverly D. and Grade I Arlington Million will also highlight the day.

Owned by Albaugh Family Stables, the son of Union Rags was a respective 16th and seventh behind Triple Crown winner Justify in the Grade I Kentucky Derby and the Grade I Belmont Stakes. He has not won since capturing a Grade I victory over Keeneland’s main track in the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity last October.

Free Drop Billy is out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Trensa who produced Hawkbill – a two-time Group 1 winner who took this year’s Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan Racecourse during the Dubai Racing Club Carnival. The 5-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy also won the Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in July 2016.

“He’s got a chance of running there,” said Romans. “His half-brother (Hawkbill) is one of the best grass horses in the world and we’ve been wanting to try him on grass.”

Romans has won two previous editions of the Secretariat Stakes with Paddy O’Prado (2010) and Kitten’s Joy (2004).

Free Drop Billy was purchased by Albaugh Family Stables for $200,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from when consigned by Gainesway. He was bred in Kentucky by Helen K. Groves Revokable Trust.

Other possible contenders for the Secretariat Stakes include Analyze It, Untamed Domain, Sniper Kitten, Captivating Moon and Nobrag Justfact.

E.T. BAIRD EXCITED TO BE BACK IN THE SADDLE

With over thirty years of riding experience under his belt, veteran jockey E.T. Baird has taken his share of physical beatings like most riders have, but don’t think that stopping him from continuing to ride.

Baird, 51, returned to the saddle on Saturday afternoon at Arlington International Racecourse to finish second in the fifth race aboard Odachi. Trained by former jockey Carlos Silva, the 6-year-old daughter of First Samurai set off stalking pacesetter Rake It Up under Baird’s confident handling, headed the leader one furlong from home but was caught in the shadow of the wire by Hey Hey.

“He ran good,” said Baird following the race. “We just happened to get out footed down the lane. We took on the favorite (Rake It Up) and he didn’t want to give up on the inside, so it made our horse fight. [Carlos Silva and I] rode together back in the day, so I definitely consider it a compliment that he put me on a horse.”

Baird will ride the remainder of the Arlington meet following more than a year’s hiatus since finishing ninth on Richies Sweetheart in the Lightning City Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on December 17, 2016. Baird’s last trip to the winner’s circle came just one-day prior aboard another Larry Rivelli trainee Back At the Ranch at Tampa Bay Downs.

“It’s a good time,” Baird said. “I’m pretty excited about it. I feel good. I’m pain free which is a huge plus. That’s half the battle. I rode for thirty years so you get beat up a little bit. It’s just nice to take that time off and actually feel normal.”

Baird is also named aboard Prima Storm in Thursday’s fourth race and Intrepid Humor in Friday’s sixth.