Cary Street romps in Las Vegas Marathon

ARCADIA, Calif. - A dream trip gave Cary Street an easy win in Friday’s $200,750 Las Vegas Marathon at Santa Anita, the first stakes of the two days of Breeders’ Cup races.

Cary Street, already proven to adore long-distance races, thrived over the 1 3/4 miles of the Las Vegas Marathon, closing from last in a field of eight to win by 9 1/4 lengths over Irish Surf, the 2-1 favorite. Cary Street ($7.80) was timed in 2:58.29.

Ridden by Miguel Mena, Cary Street was well behind a quick early pace of 46.51 seconds for a half-mile and 1:10.20 for six furlongs set by Big Cazanova and Big Kick. Mena began asking Cary Street to move forward with five furlongs remaining and they took the lead from Irish Surf entering the stretch.

Trainer Brendan Walsh envisioned Cary Street using a late move to win the race.

“I wasn’t too concerned,” Walsh said of the early running. “I thought they’d go plenty quick enough. He gave him a good ride. He was so patient.”

Irish Surf finished a half-length in front of 23-1 Patrioticandproud, who was third. He was followed by Sky Kingdom, Big Cazanova, Ice Cream Truck and Volkonsky. Big Kick was eased on the final turn and walked back to the barns.

Cary Street, a 5-year-old gelding by Smarty Jones, races for Walsh and Marc Detampel of Chicago. Cary Street has won 6 of 19 starts and earned $370,275. The Las Vegas Marathon was Cary Street’s second stakes win of the year, preceded by a win in the Grade 3 Greenwood Cup over 1 1/2 miles on dirt at Parx Racing on Sept. 1.

Walsh said that Cary Street will be part of his stable at Palm Meadows training center in Florida this winter.