The 2017 Cox Plate entry Taj Mahal finished runner-up in Saturday's Grade I Secretariat Stakes (1m 2f) at Arlington Park, won by Oscar Performance.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained Taj Mahal ran on from fifth in the six-horse field to be beaten 2 1/4-lengths by last year's Grade l Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Oscar Performance, trained by Wagga Wagga-born Brian Lynch and whose sire Kitten's Joy won the Secretariat Stakes in 2004.
The race was marred by the fatal breakdown of the Mark Johnston-trained Permian who suffered a broken leg shortly after passing the post with jockey William Buick conscious but taken to hospital as a precaution after being dislodged.
It is the first placing at the highest level for Taj Mahal and jockey Ryan Moore said he was satisfied with the run from the three-year-old son of Galileo.
"I got the trip I wanted. The horse ran well." Moore told ESPN.
"I thought he ran a very good race. He beat some good horses and he got beat by a very good horse."
You can see the race below.
