OSCAR PERFORMANCE, the 3-2 favorite in a field of six 3yos, rolled to victory under Jose Ortiz in the 41st running of the Grade 1, $400k Secretariat Stakes, the first of 6 straight stakes on Arlington Million Day at Arlington Park. TAJ MAHAL was along for second, about 2 1/2 lengths behind the winner. The full order was 4-6-1-2-5-3.

The race aftermath was marred by the breakdown of PERMIAN, who finished last as the 2-1 second choice. The Godolphin colt was loaded onto the equine ambulance a furlong past the finish wire on the turf course after suffering a compound fracture in his left foreleg, requiring, sadly, his eventual euthanization. His jockey, William Buick, was momentarily shaken after being thrown from Permian but appreared to escape serious injury, having given a thumbs-up to the crowd some 5 minutes later.

Oscar Performance, trained by Brian Lynch for owner-breeders John and Jerry Amerman, had a beautiful stalking trip behind front-runner SONIC BOOM before moving to challenge midway through the final turn. The Kitten’s Joy colt finished the 1 1/4-mile distance in 2:01.79 over a firm turf

“They were some good horses he beat,” winning owner John Amerman said afterward.

Oscar Performance solidified his position as leader of his division, having won the BC Juv. Turf last year at 2 and the G1 Belmont Derby last month.

The $2 exacta (4-6) paid $37, the $1 trifecta (4-6-1) returned $62.10, and the 10-cent superfecta (4-6-1-2) was worth $18.54.

Marcus Hersh will have the full Secretariat recap up before long on www.drf.com.

The Beverly D. (R10) and Million (R11) are among the stakes still to come.