Magic Mark in peak form for E.B. Johnston
Magic Mark is approaching Saturday’s $75,000 E.B. Johnston Stakes at Los Alamitos in peak form.
On Sunday at Del Mar, Magic Mark worked a half-mile in 47.20 seconds, the fastest of 50 recorded works at the distance. The Johnston Stakes, run at a mile for California-breds, will be Magic Mark’s third start following a year-long layoff.
Magic Mark was fourth in the Thor’s Echo Stakes for California-bred sprinters at Santa Anita on July 4 and won a division of the Harry Brubaker Stakes against open company at a mile at Del Mar on Aug. 24, his second stakes win.
“It surprised me a bit when he ran so well against open,” trainer Ron Ellis said on Sunday. “This will be his third race off a layoff. He’s training well. He came out of his race in good shape.”
The field for the Johnston Stakes will include Soi Phet, who won a division of the Brubaker Stakes, as well as Avanti Bello, El Huerfano, Patriots Rule, and Songforjohnmichael.
The Los Alamitos September meeting begins on Thursday and continues through Sept. 25.