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Race No. 3 -- The Century Dream Juvenile (1 1/16M)

By Paul Buckley

Not to be outdone by their female counterparts, 14 juvenile colts strut onto the track, exuding class and competitive fire. Some will go on to greater glory while others fade from view, but today they're all ready to roll. Here's the princely field in post position order:

Following are race records (two-year-old and lifetime) for each horse, as well as notable accomplishments and other tidbits:

Now, for the race:

And they're off! DEVIL'S BAG explodes out of the gate and takes command, with HOLY BULL a length back in second and COLIN to his outside in third. FAVORITE TRICK assumes a stalking position in fourth along the rail, while BIMELECH tracks COLIN on the extreme outside in fifth and NASHUA settles into sixth position between horses. FIRST LANDING and ALSAB travel a bit wide into the first turn and NEVER BEND hugs the rail, with EASY GOER angling in to save ground. SECRETARIAT, who walked out of the gate, as is his custom, lopes along behind EASY GOER, while ARAZI, BOLD LAD and WHIRLAWAY bide their time at the back of the pack.

After an opening quarter in :22 3/5 and a half in :45 3/5, DEVIL'S BAG maintains his one-length advantage, with COLIN edging past HOLY BULL into second and BIMELECH taking over fourth on the outside. FAVORITE TRICK skims the rail in fifth and NASHUA stalks the leaders in sixth. In the next flight, from the inside out, we find NEVER BEND, FIRST LANDING and ALSAB necks apart, while EASY GOER and SECRETARIAT remain unhurried about seven lengths off the lead. ARAZI, BOLD LAD and WHIRLAWAY continue to trail down the backside.

Heading into the far turn, DEVIL'S BAG clings to a half-length lead over COLIN, with BIMELECH another half-length back in third to their outside. Jockey Mike Smith asks HOLY BULL for his run as the leaders charge past the six-furlong mark in a grueling 1:09 3/5, and FIRST LANDING ranges up to stick a head in front of NASHUA, who is being ridden confidently by Eddie Arcaro. Meanwhile, SECRETARIAT is launching his bid on the outside, leaving NEVER BEND, FAVORITE TRICK, ALSAB and the rest in his wake.

At the top of the stretch, the legendary COLIN sticks a neck in front of a determined DEVIL'S BAG with NASHUA looming boldly in third and SECRETARIAT flying past a tiring BIMELECH into fourth. EASY GOER is mounting a challenge in sixth and BOLD LAD finds running room inside for his late bid. WHIRLAWAY is gaining ground with every stride while drifting toward the outside fence, despite Johnny Longden's persistent right-handed whipping. They hit the sixteenth pole in 1:35, with COLIN extending his lead over DEVIL'S BAG to one length, but SECRETARIAT is in full flight and NASHUA has dead aim on the leaders.

With 50 yards to go, SECRETARIAT surges past a valiant COLIN and draws off to a handy one-length win, stopping the clock in 1:41 2/5.

Following is the complete order of finish:

More Century Dream Series:

Mile

Turf

Distaff

Sprint

Juvenile Fillies

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