Marzo Finds His Calling in 1 1/2-Mile Sycamore
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Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Marzo wins the Sycamore Stakes at Keeneland
Another year, another claimed horse turned graded stakes winner for Mike Maker. The trainer who developed ex-claimers Da Big Hoss , Bigger Picture, Zulu Alpha and others into classy grass stayers worked his magic yet again in the $150,000 Sycamore Stakes (G3T) Oct. 17 at Keeneland when Marzo pulled off a 14-1 surprise in the 1 1/2-mile turf test.
With Ricardo Santana Jr. subbing for an injured Florent Geroux, Marzo stalked the pace in third behind fractions of :51.26, 1:17.09, and 1:42.24 before pouncing on leader Changi over the final half-mile. Once in front, Marzo responded to stern urging from Santana to maintain a clear advantage, crossing the wire 1 1/4 lengths in front of Nakamura.
"The horse traveled really good. I was really happy with his position," Santana said. "At the three-eighths pole, he was pulling, saying, 'Let me go.' I let him go."
A 4-year-old gelded son of Medaglia d'Oro , Marzo was timed in 2:32.72 on a course rated good. He paid $31.
The Sycamore gave Marzo his first stakes win, coming just two starts after owner Three Diamonds Farm and Maker claimed him for $62,500 from a 6 1/2-furlong optional claimer Aug. 31 at Kentucky Downs when he finished third. In his first try for his new connections Sept. 26, he finished a close second in an optional claiming race at Churchill Downs going a mile.
The $90,000 winner’s share boosted his earnings to $263,257 with a record of 4-4-3 from 16 starts.
"We claimed him with this idea: stretch him out with this race in mind if another horse, Bigger Picture, didn't make it," Maker said. "With the purses in Kentucky, it was a no-lose situation."
Maker, who won his second Sycamore after Kindergarden Kid in 2012, commended owner Kirk Wycoff of Three Diamonds Farm for selecting Marzo to be claimed.
Marzo, out of the Smart Strike mare Spring Party, has seen his share of auctions. Originally a $1 million yearling purchase by M.V. Magnier at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, he later sold for $35,000 to Marc Detampel at the Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale in 2018 before going to Pindell Equine for $140,000 in the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale this year. His second dam is the grade 1 producer Surf Club.
He was twice stakes-placed for Detampel late in his 3-year-old year in 2018, running third in the Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs and second in the Woodchopper Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Nakamura rallied from ninth in the Sycamore to be second, 1 3/4 lengths ahead of third-place Postulation.
"I handicapped the race, and I was concerned a little bit because there was no pace," said Nakamura's rider, Javier Castellano. "My horse is not fast out of the gate. I didn't want to rush—it's a mile and a half. Unfortunately, the way it set up was a disadvantage for my horse. I still give a lot of credit to my horse because he finished really well. I couldn't catch the winner."
Never threatening was favored Focus Group, who ran sixth.