Photo by: Benoit

Trainer Christopher Paasch Jockey Victor Espinoza Owner Charles Cono LLC Breeder Victory Racing LLC (Ky) Recent Race History Date Race Finish 11.04.06 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (GI) Eased 10.08.06 Norfolk (GII) 2nd 08.13.06 Best Pal (GII) 1st

Starter Analysis

PRINCIPLE SECRET tries to bounce back after being eased in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (GI), when he got in a speed duel with Stormello. Going to the lead is not necessarily a bad thing here as long as he doesn't get hung too wide from post 8. Oddly, in both of his sprint races, he lay just off the leader and made a winning move late, but he hasn't done that in the route races. At this point, it's tough to tell if he just too tough to control, but more likely he's just finding himself as a racehorse. Paasch won the Startlet last year at a big price, and while this one won't be a huge number, he would surprise some if he got the win.

Pedigree Analysis :: Dark bay or brown colt, 2; by Sea of Secrets - Beright (Grey Slewpy)

PRINCIPLE SECRET is by Sea of Secrets, who was two for two during his juvenile campaign. His lone stakes win came in the San Vicente (GII) the following year. Overall, he won four of ten races, earning $155,757. From four crops of racing age, he does very well with his babies, throwing 19% winners. His immediate family includes several stakes horses, including Love that Jazz, runner-up in the 1996 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI). He is the lone foal out of Beright, a solid runner that won both sprinting and going long. Beright’s half-sister Barbara O’Brien won the Chaposa Springs Handicap (GIII). Their dam, Brandy O’Brien, is by Desert Wine, one of the better horses on the California circuit some 20 years ago. Desert Wine was diverse enough to win the Hollywood Juvenile (GII), finish second in both the Kentucky Derby (GI) and Preakness (GI), and was a multiple Grade One winner at four.