Dramatic Win For Bernardini's Marking at Meydan

Marking | DRC/Andrew Watkins

3rd-MEY, $110,000, Hcp, 2-25, NH4yo/up & SH3yo/up, 6f, 1:10.86, ft.

MARKING (c, 4, Bernardini–Seventh Street {MGISW-US, $716,000), by Street Cry {Ire}) cemented his reputation as a horse with a future when second to champion sprinter Runhappy (Super Saver) in the GI Malibu S. in just his third start in December; however, the bay has also proven to be far from straightforward. Scratched from his intended debut after acting up in the gate at Saratoga Aug. 21, Marking was slow away from the stalls a month later at Belmont Park but fast enough at the finish to earn 'TDN Rising Star' status. The son of GI Apple Blossom S. and GI Go For Wand S. winner Seventh Street justified that tag when winning an Aqueduct allowance by 5 1/2 lengths Nov. 4, and found only GI Breeders' Cup Sprint and Eclipse Award winner Runhappy (Super Saver) too good in Santa Anita's GI Malibu S. Dec. 26. Set to make his Dubai debut in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint over this track and trip two weeks ago, Marking once again found trouble at the start, falling to his knees as the gates opened and throwing jockey James Doyle. Making the starters work to get him loaded Thursday, Marking was again away awkwardly and immediately came under a ride from jockey William Buick as he raced midpack. Still being scrubbed on by Buick as Kifaah (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) set a swift pace up front coming off the turn, Marking found his feet when switching leads and getting into the clear at the 300 metre mark. He inhaled Kifaah in the final furlong and ultimately bested that rival by two lengths. Buick noted after the race his mount was talented by green, saying, “He's still a big baby; that was his fifth run in his whole life. He got into it from halfway, I managed to tag along to the leaders and once I pulled him out and he changed legs and got out of the kickback he picked up really well. At halfway you were wondering what was going to happen, but on the line he was well ahead.”

Neal McLaughlin, assistant trainer to his brother Kiaran McLaughlin, was on hand for the win and said, “At first I was just happy he came out of the gate with the rider still attached to him He was a little further back than we thought but with all the schooling I had to do with him in the last few weeks I can understand that he was kind of switched off. We still have some work to do at the stalls and I'll get with [starter] Shane Ryan and we'll make a plan.” McLaughlin added, “The last two furlongs is the Marking that we know and were hoping to see. When he got out and switched leads he just took off. He's a very talented horse.”

The style of Marking's win certainly indicated he may not be an out-and-out sprinter, and McLaughlin said the horse's options are open for Dubai World Cup night and beyond.

“There's a few thoughts,” he said. “William is a wonderful rider and we're going to get his opinion. He's going to have to sharpen up out of the stalls to compete against those fast six furlong horses [in the track and trip G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen], so the [G2 Godolphin Mile] is always an option. If we need someone to lead Frosted around there in a stiff pace in the World Cup, you never know. We've got all the options open.”

Marking's dam, Seventh Street, is a half-sister to Reynaldothewizard (Speightstown), a 'TDN Rising Star' who has made a big impression in the UAE as the winner of the 2013 G1 Golden Shaheen and numerous other group races. Seventh Street has a yearling colt by Tapit and is due to foal again to that champion sire this year. Click for the Racing Post result. VIDEO. Lifetime Record: GISP-US, 5-3-1-0, $211,200.

O-Godolphin; B-Darley; T-Kiaran McLaughlin.

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