Marjoram on the Ascent For McCarthy and Juddmonte

Trainer Michael McCarthy reported May 10 that the Juddmonte homebred Marjoram  was doing well the morning after winning her stakes debut in the May 9 Senorita Stakes (G3T) for 3-year-old fillies

"All's good. No complaints," McCarthy said.

In the Senorita at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course, Marjoram rallied from last after a slow start under Juan Hernandez and surged past favorite Light Won Up  in the final strides to prevail by a head. The Senorita was only Marjoram's third start and second following a four-month-plus layoff.

McCarthy said he currently trains four horses for Juddmonte, one of the world's top racing and breeding organizations. Two are based at Santa Anita Park, and the other two are with McCarthy's string in Kentucky.

Marjoram debuted in November at Churchill Downs, going 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt main track that was listed as sloppy. After a slow start, which has since become the norm for the filly, she rallied from second-to-last to win by a half-length.

Marjoram was subsequently sent west to Santa Anita in December. Her local debut came in a first-level allowance for 3-year-old fillies sprinting on the hillside turf course April 4. 

"I had been thinking of sending her to Keeneland, but that race for 3-year-old fillies down the hill came up, and we entered," McCarthy said. "Obviously, it was not an ideal start, but all things considered, I thought she ran well enough to go ahead and try it again (in the Senorita)."

McCarthy said he has no plans yet on where Marjoram could return.

"She can go longer, she also could return to dirt. We're just kind of playing it by ear right now," he said.