Scuba Floats to Victory in Marathon Stakes

It may have been a  1 ¾-mile journey, but Scuba dove right in from the start and led nearly every step of the way to take the $200,000 Marathon Stakes (gr. II) Nov. 4, kicking off the graded stakes slate on the first day of the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park.

Scuba went off as the 2-1 favorite and returned $6.00 on the win end.

Scuba, a 5-year-old son of Tapit  —Cuaba, by Smoke Glacken, entered off back to back wins, taking the Oct. 2 Temperence Hill Invitational at Belmont Park at 1 5/8 miles and a victory two back in the Greenwood Cup (gr. III) at 12 furlongs. Bred in Kentucky by Palides Investments N.V., Scuba is owned by Darrs, Inc., and trained by Brendan Walsh, who won this race in 2014 with Cary Street. Kendrick Carmouche guided Scuba around three turns of the Santa Anita main track.

Scuba, Hard Aces, and Cowboy Rhythm broke quickest and pushed one another through a :24.17 first quarter. Hard Aces and Scuba briefly traded places at the head of the pack heading into the first turn, but as the field came past the grandstand the first time Scuba had reacquired the advantage. The first half-mile went in :49.05. Under the wire the first time, Scuba was holding off Hard Aces and Blue Tone. The six furlongs passed in 1:14.67 and the mile went in 1:40.62.

Scuba was absolutely game, leading down the backstretch and into the final turn. When Hard Aces and Blue Tone tried to get on even terms, the winner spurted from them leaving the third turn and enjoyed a clear advantage heading down to the line, winning by three lengths. Hard Aces held second while Blue Tone won a photo for the show from Melmich.

Scuba returned $6.00, $3.40, and $2.60. Hard Aces was good for $4.20 and $3.40, while Blue Tone returned $5.40.

Scuba has won six of 17 lifetime starts and the Marathon win pushed his earnings near the $550,000 mark.