Pace Suits Marlin, Stevens Just Fine

Jockey Gary Stevens knew early he was on his way to his second victory in the Arlington Million.

Able to make the lead aboard Marlin with no pressure Sunday at Arlington International Race Course in Arlington Heights, Ill., Stevens was confident there would be no catching the 4-year-old Sword Dancer colt and he was right.

This was the second victory in a $1-million race in 15 days for Stevens, who was aboard Pacific Classic winner Gentlemen at Del Mar on Aug. 9, and it gave trainer Wayne Lukas his second victory in the Grade I race. He had won the Million with Steinlen in 1989.

Over a course labeled good, Marlin, the 5-2 favorite, won for the ninth time in 25 starts and completed the 1 1/4 miles in 2:02 2/5 in defeating Sandpit, who was ridden by Chris McCarron, by a half-length. Percutant, the longest shot in the field of eight at 31-1, finished third, a neck ahead of 3-1 second choice Awad.

“The first quarter [24 3/5] and the second quarter [49 4/5 for the half-mile] were what we wanted,” Stevens said. “I don’t want to sound cocky, but anybody who knows the game knows this one was over with early.

“We felt like if we could make the lead and slow things down, they’d have a tough time running us down in the final quarter. This colt can really sprint home. Wayne’s done a great job preparing this colt for the right races this year.”

With the victory, Marlin increased his career earnings to $2,430,880 and his owner, Michael Tabor, said he’ll probably start once more before the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 8 at Hollywood Park.

In two other major races on the Arlington card, Memories Of Silver outbattled Maxzene in the final yards to win the $500,000 Beverly D. by a neck and Honor Glide made it six victories in seven starts by winning in the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes.

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With nine victories, the $250,000 Del Mar Debutante has been a race Lukas has had great success in, but for the second time in three years, trainer Bob Baffert was the winner of the Grade II race.

Two weeks after winning her debut at 9-1 odds, Vivid Angel posted a $17.80 surprise, defeating 28-1 shot Griselle by three lengths in the Debutante.

And she didn’t even have to run particularly fast to do so.

The final time for the seven furlongs was 1:24 1/5, making it the slowest Debutante since the race was shortened from a mile in 1993.

Owned by Ed and Natalie Friendly and ridden by Kent Desormeaux, who had three victories Sunday, Vivid Angel saved ground behind some fast fractions (22 and 44 4/5 for the half-mile), then surged through a huge opening along the rail and went on to win easily.

Czarina, an 11-1 shot, was third, a length in front of 7-5 favorite Love Lock, who was trying to give Lukas another Debutante victory. Career Collection, the 2-1 second choice based on her recent victories in the Landaluce and Sorrento, finished sixth.

Horse Racing Notes

Grady, the 3-1 second choice ridden by Danny Sorenson, got up in the final strides to defeat 1-2 favorite General Gem and jockey Pat Valenzuela to win the $571,647 Indian Nations Futurity Cup Sunday at Santa Fe (N.M.) Downs. The Prospectors Gamble gelding, trained by Randy Bradshaw, had to withstand a stewards’ inquiry before the result was official. . . . Bob Baffert’s other Debutante win came with Batroyale in 1995. . . . There is a Pick Six carryover for today of $212,383.