Chelsea Durand Photo

Marley's Freedom guts it out in G3 Go For Wand

by Najja Thompson

Making her first start since finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint on November 3 at Churchill Downs, Marley's Freedom dug in late to defeat Come Dancing by a neck in the Grade 3, $250,000 Go For Wand for fillies and mares on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

Breaking from the rail with Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith aboard, Marley's Freedom, sent off as the 1-2 favorite, was hustled forward to gain second position as Browse led the field of six through fractions of 25.27 seconds for the opening quarter with the half in 48.56.

After Marley's Freedom took the lead at the three-eighths pole, Come Dancing, racing three-wide, emerged with Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez to hook up with the new leader at the top of the stretch. Thoroughly challenged but remaining in front every step of the way, Marley's Freedom secured the victory, completing the one-mile distance in a final time of 1:38.35.

"Today was the first time going a mile, but she took a breath of air and once she got that second wind, she locked in and she wasn't going to let them by no matter what," said Smith. "We could have went around there again and they weren't getting by her. 

"When they give you that sign, that one [Come Dancing] ain't going to beat you," continued Smith. "Someone might come from way on the outside, but that one ain't going to get you. She ran awesome."

Velazquez said he was pleased with the game and determined effort from Come Dancing.

"From the beginning, I tried to get the horse off the lead and try to make a run with her," said Velazquez. "I think it worked out, it was just that the other horse was a little better than us. I thought I had her."

Returning $3.10 for a $2 win wager, the 4-year-old Blame filly increased her earnings to $815,935, picking up her fourth graded stakes win of the year for Cicero Farms and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. 

Though successful in winning her first start at a mile, Smith said Marley's Freedom is talented enough to handle the distance again, but would also like to see her return to sprinting. 

"A mile might be as far as she wants to go," added Smith. "On the Santa Anita track, maybe a mile and a sixteenth. But, she's just a brilliant sprinter."

Following Come Dancing in second was Pacific Wind, Bonita Bianca, Your Love, and Browse.