Star Yankee Glide colt Celebrity Secret fought valiantly during the thrilling stretch drive in the Kentucky Futurity race-off Saturday at the Red Mile. Though his colt lost to Deweycheatumnhowe, co-owner Sam Stathis was very pleased with his bay.
"From where I was standing I was sure we won and, until I reviewed the win photo, I thought we had him. This should prove to the world that Celebrity Secret is a tremendous competitor," said Stathis.
2007 Kentucky Futurity Race-Off
"It's a lot to ask any horse to beat Dewey at any time because that horse has supernatural abilities. It brought tears to my eyes to watch 'Secret's' heroic effort attempt to do it twice in one day. Secret is a tremendous competitor that gives us 100% every time out. He left his heart on the track today and there is no shame in being second seven times to a horse with Dewey's abilities."
Celebrity Secret was narrowly defeated in the mile, but that finish didn't dull the moment for Stathis.
"His effort in the final heat will stay in my heart as much as his victory in the second heat," he said. "We are very proud of Celebrity Secret, Staffan Lind his trainer and Mari Lind his caretaker. What do we know? I guess we'll just have to wait until the Breeders Crown on November 29 at the Meadowlands [for a rematch with Deweycheatumnhowe]."