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Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach (Aidan O'Brien/Colm O'Donoghue) just got the better of French-trained Ziyarid as European visitors landed a one-two in the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park.
Photo by Pat Healy Photography
The Ballydoyle visitor, whose trainer had won the race with Ciro in 2000, arrived in Chicago on the back of star billing as the best horse ever to cross the Atlantic for the $400,000 event.
The son of Galileo was duly sent off 6-4 favourite but had to battle all the way down the stretch to get the better of a game rival in the Aga Khan's Ziyarid, who had setthe pace under Christophe Lemaire.
With Treasure Beach stalking him in second place, Ziyarid set only a sensible pace at the head of affairs until he was joined by his Irish rival at the far turn.
Local hope Willcox Inn also tried to get involved but his effort proved short-lived as 8-1 chance Ziyarid kept on in determined fashion with Colm O'Donoghue having to get serious on his outside.
After a fierce battle, Treasure Beach just got his head in front inside the final furlong to score by a neck with Banned a length and a half back in third.
The winner stopped the clock in 2m03.91s on turf rated yielding after a brief thunderstorm earlier in the afternoon.
Although O'Donoghue landed last year's Canadian International in Toronto, he was winning his first race on American soil.
He suggested Treasure Beach has been idling, making it look harder work than was actually the case. "He wasn't doing much," said the rider.
"He was finding it quite easy in the home stretch. He just kept plugging on for me. He's very adaptable and goes on any ground and conditions were perfect today.
"I thought I had it before we turned in but Ziyarid pulled more out," added O'Donoghue. "He's a horse who just does enough - when you go back to Epsom when he was up against a fabulous horse in Pour Moi."
For so long a backroom boy at Ballydoyle, O'Donoghue is determined to make the most of this season's chnaces on the biggest stages.
"I'm very fortunate," he said. "I'm in a great position and I ride for great people who give me all these chances. I want these chances and I want to use them as good as I can."
Coolmore representative Charlie O'Connor praised O'Donoghue's display in the saddle. "Aidan was pretty confident and Colm gave him a brilliant ride and thank God that he did," said O'Connor.
Initial thoughts after the race suggested Treasure Beach, who raced on first-time Lasix, is likely to be targeted at the Breeders' Cup Turf at the end of the season.
Ziyarid's connections were well pleased with the colt's effort in second place. "He was beaten by a true Group 1 horse," said trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre. "I am delighted we came - I think the horse proved himself."
Lemaire added: "He was beaten by a Derby winner and that's not too bad, is it? He gave a great performance."