O'DONOGHUE EYES US TREASURE

Colm O'Donoghue feels he has valid claims of securing a first victory in the USA when Treasure Beach runs at Arlington on Saturday night.

This year's Irish Derby winner takes his chance in the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes, with Ballydoyle stablemate Cape Blanco due to line up in the Arlington Million.

O'Donoghue said: "I've ridden at Churchill Downs, Santa Anita and Gulfstream, but not at Arlington before."

The jockey knows Treasure Beach well, having ridden him on his last three starts, including when second in the Epsom Derby.

O'Donoghue is, however, still at a loss to explain his rather subdued display in last month's Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp, in which he finished fourth.

He told the Irish Times: "To be honest, I can't pinpoint a reason for that, except perhaps he didn't quite stay.

"We went a good strong pace, probably stronger than we did at the Curragh, and he's a horse that isn't short of speed."

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