From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (May 25, 2019)–Last with three sixteenths of a mile to run, California-bred Marckie’s Water steamed home while wide-out to take Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita by three quarters of a length under Tiago Pereira. Trained by Richard Baltas, the 5-year-old full horse by Tribal Rule got a mile and one quarter on turf in 2:00.95.
With the Baltas-trained Morse Code heading to the early lead, Tizzarunner, Ashleyluvssugar and Prime Attraction were all in close attendance around the far turn, but Marckie’s Water got the last laugh with an impressive stretch burst.
Most recently a half length classified allowance winner going 1 1/8 miles on turf here April 28, Marckie’s Water, who is out of the Stravinsky mare Russian River, was off as the second choice in a field of seven 3-year-olds and up at 2-1 and paid $6.80, $3.80 and $2.60.
Marckie’s Water is by Tribal Rule, out of the Stravinsky mare Russian River, was bred by Frank Mermenstein & Tom McCronklin, is owned by Little Red Feather Racing and Norman Tavares and is trained by Richard Baltas.
“I grew up idolizing Charlie Whittingham and to win a graded stake in his name with a Cal-bred is amazing,” said Billy Koch, partner in Little Red Feather Racing. “We thought when they turned for home that he was going to run last, he wasn’t firing, then all of a sudden he found daylight and he just went. That was an extremely impressive performance. We’ve told Tiago this horse likes to make a last run and he likes to be outside of horses. It was pretty amazing down the lane.
“Desormeaux took a hold on the favorite and that changed the whole complexion of the race. Kudos to Ritchie Baltas and his team and all of the Little Red Feather partners out there this means a lot it’s a Grade II, a big race especially for a Cal-bred. Tom McCrocklin is here who bred the horse and Frank Mermenstein is probably out there watching.
“Russian River is amazing, she was such a fun horse to watch and she’s produced now, See Smoke and Marckies Water who is now a graded stakes winner and Opus Won who won a few weeks ago, it’s a great family.”
Although he was third two starts back in the Grade II, 1 ½ miles turf San Luis Rey Stakes on March 29, the Whittingham is Marckie’s Water’s first graded stakes win and improves his overall resume to 18-6-0-2. With the winner’s share of $120,000, he now has earnings of $466,683.
United, who stumbled shortly after the start while between horses at the dirt crossing, ran a huge race in defeat under Flavien Prat, rallying from mid-pack to finish second, a half length in front of Ashleyluvssugar. Off at 7-2, United paid $4.60 and $3.00.
Ridden by Brice Blanc, 8-year-old gelding Ashleyluvssugar was attentive to the pace throughout and ran a big race to be third by a head over 8-5 favorite Prime Attraction. Dispatched at 8-1, Ashleyluvssugar paid $3.40 to show.
Fraction on the race were 24.67, 48.83, 1:13.36 and 1:37.19.