Cyber Secret Rebounds In Aqueduct's Grade III Cicada
By: Jenny Kellner

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Mar. 22, 2003) - Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. wasn't exactly comfortable when he entered Cyber Secret in the $108,300 Cicada Stakes (GIII) just three weeks after she finished fourth in the Busher at a mile and 70 yards at Aqueduct. But sometimes, things wind up working out.

Sent off as the 9-2 third choice, Cyber Secret grabbed the lead from Leniently at the head of the stretch and pulled clear to a 4 ½ length victory over favored Roar Emotion, who was making her first start since November.

"She ran a great race," said Dutrow, who trains the daughter of Cyberspace for Sanford Goldfarb, his brother Irwin, and Team Julep Stables. "I'm very happy with her. I always thought she'd be better sprinting, but we were forced into running her in two-turn races over the inner track, which didn't work out so bad. I didn't like the idea of running her back so quickly, but this was a field she could beat and things just went our way."

Under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, Cyber Secret settled comfortably in second as Leniently took the field of six 3-year-old fillies through fractions :22.06 and :44.80. Moving up on the far turn, the dark bay filly collared the pacesetter approaching the quarter pole and straightened for home in command.

Roar Emotion, the odds-on favorite, threatened briefly at the top of the lane, but settled for second best as Cyber Secret hit the wire in 1:22.55 for her fourth victory in seven starts.

"She broke real well and the leader kind of outran her a little bit early," said Bridgmohan, "She was sitting in a very comfortable spot and the other filly started to back up around the turn. I asked her at the top of the stretch and she took off."

Roar Emotion, who was making her first start since taking the Demoiselle (GII) last November, was 1 3/4 lengths in front of Boxer Girl. Following her under the wire were Ladyecho, Southern Smoke, and Leniently.

"There will be some people who are disappointed but I'm not," said Carlos Martin, who trains Roar Emotion for Joe Allen.

"She's just getting back into action. Richie [Migliore] had to use her to get her into position from the one post. She was under a drive for three-eighths of a mile, and the winner seemed like she had a rocket propeller on today."

While Cyber Secret is being pointed toward the Nassau County Breeders' Cup (GII) at seven furlongs on May 10, Roar Emotion's connections are aiming for the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (GI) for their filly.

"This was a good starting point," said Martin "Seven furlongs is the hardest distance to bring a horse back at." Cyber Secret, who increased her bankroll to $179,967, returned $11.00, $3.70 and $2.40. Roar Emotion paid $2.70 and $2.20, and Boxer Girl $2.40.

. Jenny Kellner is one of the most respected, multi-faceted journalists in New York. She served as the New York Islanders beat writer for the New York Times and has covered Thoroughbred horse racing and professional football for several major publications in the Big Apple and beyond. She is a frequent contributor to a myriad of Thoroughbred racing trade publications and has covered numerous Kentucky Derbys and Breeders' Cups. .

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