Canadian shipper Marlang takes Saranac

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Marlang shipped down from Canada and led the locals on a merry chase around Saratogas Mellon Turf Course on Sunday, recording a 1 3/4-length, gate-to-wire score in the Grade 3, $111,100 Saranac Stakes for 3-year-olds.

Under Richard Dos Ramos, Marlang cruised to the front and set fractions of 24.40 seconds, 48.44, 1:11.88, and 1:35.58. Vacation, under Edgar Prado, tried to make a run at Marlang in the stretch but the Langfuhr colt kicked away from Vacation for his fourth victory from eight starts. Vacation finished second by 1 1/2 lengths over Nistles Crunch.

Marlang, owned and bred by 80-year-old Canadian Gustav Schickedanz, covered the 1 3/16 miles in 1:53.10 over firm ground and returned $7 as the second choice. Readys Echo, the 9-5 favorite in his turf debut, finished fourth.

"Turning to the head of the lane he just accelerated underneath me, thought it would take a pretty good horse to catch him," said Dos Ramos, who scored his first victory at Saratoga. "He doesnt have to be on the lead, but he has such a big, long stride; with his athleticism he gets there just on his own."

Trainer Deborah England said she expected this kind of performance from Marlang, who was coming off a front-running victory in the $502,000 Breeders Stakes at Woodbine on Aug. 3.

"Hes just been training great," said England, who also won her first Saratoga race. "The only thing I was worried about was shipping because he had never shipped before and he was a little rattled and I was worried about him settling in."

This was the third time in six years that a Canadian-based horse won the Saranac. Jambalaya won it in 2005 and Shoal Water took it in 2003.

Remarkable Remy keeps Kimmel rolling

Trainer John Kimmel recorded his fifth consecutive victory at this meet when Remarkable Remy rallied to win the $85,600 Caveat Competor Stakes by one-half length over Mousse Au Chocolat.

Kimmel won three races on Fridays card, one on Saturday, and then the Caveat Competor. On Aug. 30, 2004, trainer Todd Pletcher won with five consecutive starters on the same card. He won four races in a row, then after not having a starter in the next two races, he won the Grade 3 Ballston Spa.

Remarkable Remy, a New York-bred daughter of Hennessy owned by Live Oak Plantation, covered the mile in 1:35.55 over a firm inner turf course.