After hitting an outer ring on the target a couple times in stakes competition, Marksman Queen finally nailed a bull's-eye, leading from start to finish for her first stakes win in the $219,655 Keertana Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs.
Marksman Queen was bred in England and made her first four starts there, coming to America during the second half of 2023 and taking up residence in the stables of trainer Graham Motion. Marksman Queen won her first start in the states, a first-level allowance in December 2023, then reeled off 10 losses in a row.
Third in Grade 3 competition late last fall, and a closer third in a listed stakes over the winter, Marksman Queen typically has taken early leads she has failed to hold, but Saturday, gifted a clear advantage galloping through comfortable fractions, Marksman Queen finally hit the mark.
Frankie Dettori, waiting as long as possible to play his hand, called on Marksman Queen in upper stretch of the three-turn, 1 1/2-mile Keertana, got a burst from his mount that propelled her to a two-length lead at the stretch call, and Marksman Queen hung on for a half-length win over Dreaming of Mo. Tarneema finished another half-length behind in third, with tepid favorite Strikingly Spun, trying this extended distance for the first time, last after getting a good pressing trip.
Motion trains Marksman Queen for her breeder, Cayton Park Stun. Marksman Queen was timed in 2:26.74 over a firm, fast-playing course, and paid $8.40 as the second choice. Marksman Queen is by Dubawi out of Smart Susan, by Touch Gold. The mare often has led with a quarter-mile left to run in her races. Saturday, she did not relinquish that lead.
*** Racing over a grass course that’s been producing fast times for a couple weeks, Nobals, winner of the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, set a Churchill course record for 5 1/2 furlongs winning a high-level allowance race Saturday, clocking 1:00.96 while posting a 3 3/4-length win. Gerardo Corrales rode Nobals for trainer Larry Rivelli and Vince Foglia’s Patricia’s Hope.
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