by Ron Parker

WinStar Farm’s Leah’s Secret halted an 11-race winless stretch on Saturday as she surged to the lead in the closing strides to win the $144,500 Chicago Handicap (G3) at Arlington Park.

Pro Pink went quickly to the lead in the ten-horse field with Featherbed pressing the pace through:44.26 through a half-mile. Jockey Rene Douglas reserved 8-to-5 favorite Leah’s Secret in seventh in the seven-furlong race for fillies and mares.

Tequilas Dayjur stalked the leading pair, made a bold move to take command leaving the turn, and appeared poised to earn a victory.

Douglas moved Leah’s Secret wide for the stretch drive and she closed steadily under strong urging to catch Tequilas Dayjur for a three-quarter-length victory. The five-year-old Tiger Ridge mare completed the distance in 1:22.17 on the synthetic Polytrack surface at Arlington and ended an 11-race losing streak that started after a victory in the Anne Arundel Stakes at Laurel Park on November 25, 2006.

The Chicago was the fourth career stakes victory for Leah’s Secret and her second graded stakes score. She won the 2006 Lexus Raven Run Stakes (G2) at Keeneland Race Course.

Bred in Florida by Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds, Leah’s Secret increased her earnings to $632,939 with six wins in 21 starts. Out of the winning Capote mare Lady Cruella, Leah’s Secret is from the female family of 1986 Horse of the Year Lady’s Secret.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Ron Parker is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer