Beach Patrol outduels Long Island Sound in Secretariat

Beach Patrol stuck a head in front of Long Island Sound in upper stretch of Saturday's $450,000 Secretariat (G1) and never relinquished the narrow advantage, gamely prevailing after an exciting stretch duel in the 1 ¼-mile turf affair for 3-year-olds. Florent Geroux picked up his third of four wins on the Arlington International Festival program and the Chad Brown-trained colt registered his initial stakes victory.

“Florent rode a beautiful race from a difficult post,” Brown said.

By Lemon Drop Kid, Beach Patrol stalked an up-close third on the far outside as 73-1 outsider Scissors and Tape established fractions of :24.59, :48.31 and 1:12.76, with Long Island Sound tracking in second between horses.

Beach Patrol advanced to seize a short lead turning for home. Long Island Sound proved a resolute rival, determinedly battling to the wire, but could never draw even as Beach Patrol proved best by a head.

“Broke good there from the gate, I was able to stalk and when I asked him to go he was very brave,” Geroux explained. “(Long Island Sound) didn’t give it up, and (Beach Patrol) showed a lot of heart.”

A slight 5-2 favorite, Beach Patrol stopped the teletimer in 2:01.95 on the firm turf.

Long Island Sound held the place by three-quarters of a length over American Patriot, who swung out wide in upper stretch but lacked the necessary finishing kick. Both were off as the 3.10-1 second choice.

It was another half-length back to One Mean Man in fourth, and Oscar Nominated, Cordon, Surgical Strike, Cherry Wine and Scissors and Tape completed the order.

Bred in Kentucky by Nancy C. Shuford, Beach Patrol initially sold for $250,000 as a 2013 Keeneland November weanling. He hails from the Quiet American mare Bashful Bertie, a sibling to multiple Grade 2 winners Hurricane Bertie and All American Bertie, and there’s plenty of black-type in the classy female family.

Owners James Covello, Sheep Pond Partners and Head of Plains Partners LLC purchased Beach Patrol privately following a head second in his stakes debut, the American Turf (G2) on the Kentucky Derby undercard. The dark bay colt placed in his first two outings as a juvenile and broke his maiden in his 2016 bow, a turf maiden special weight at Santa Anita in mid-March.

Beach Patrol followed the American Turf with a disappointing sixth as the favorite in the June 4 Penn Mile (G3) but rebounded with a much-improved effort in the Belmont Derby (G1) on July 9, rallying boldly to be a close third.

“The horse has been training really well,” Brown said. “I want to thank Sol Kumin and James Covello, the other partners that put up the money to buy him -- their patience. His first start didn’t go so well, they didn’t worry about it, they were in it for the long term and it paid off today.”

Beach Patrol has now earned $526,970 from an 8-3-2-2 record.

(Photo courtesy of Four Footed Fotos)