Wigmore Hall (far side) beats Kings Gambit in the John Smith's Cup at York
PICTURE: Martin LynchWigmore must overcome Paddy for Grade 1 glory
Preview: USA, Saturday 9.37pm BST
Arlington Park: Secretariat Stakes (Grade 1) 1m2f, turf, 3yo
JOHN Smith's Cup winner Wigmore Hall (Michael Bell/Jamie Spencer) looks to have one major hurdle to overcome in the $400,000 Secretariat in the shape of top US turf performer Paddy O'Prado (Dale Romans/Kent Desormeaux).
Third in the Kentucky Derby on dirt in May, the grey son of El Prado has come to his own since being switched back to the green, running out an impressive winner of both the winning both the Colonial Turf Cup and Virginia Derby on his last two outings.
Paddy O'Prado, whose long-term target is the Breeders' Cup Turf, breaks from the inner in what is a six-runner field after the withdrawal of Two Notch Road with a fever.
Wigmore Hall, who beat Godolphin's Chabal at Newmarket on his most recent outing, gets 3lb from the favourite and first-time Lasix.
"This horse has good tactical speed," said trainer Michael Bell, speaking to the Daily Racing Form. "He's very handy, very nippy. Paddy O'Prado is worth a lot of respect, but it's impossible to know the form lines across the two countries."
He looks best of the remainder, though Workin For Hops (Mike Stidham/Cisco Torres) is three-from-three at this venue andcould get an easy lead.
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