Main Sequence makes impressive late move to win Mac Diarmida

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Whooosh!

That approximates the sound multiple Eclipse Award winner Main Sequence made when unleashing his tremendous turn of foot from the top of the stretch to the wire to register a well-measured three-quarter-length victory over the hard-luck Twilight Eclipse in Saturday’s $200,000 Mac Diarmida at Gulfstream Park.

Main Sequence was making his first start in the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida since capturing the Breeders’ Cup Turf nearly four months earlier. That victory sewed up Eclipse Award honors for Main Sequence as the champion turf horse and older male in 2014.

With regular rider Rajiv Maragh back aboard, Main Sequence raced near the rear of the eight-horse field while saving ground for the opening mile of the 11-furlong Mac Diarmida. Main Sequence eased outside for clearance exiting the backstretch, fanned five wide into the stretch, yet still appeared to have too much left to do at the top of the lane. But under a well-timed ride by Maragh, he accelerated suddenly once settling into the stretch, finishing full of run down the center of the course to run down Twilight Eclipse for his fifth win in as many starts in the U.S.

According to Trakus, Main Sequence completed his final three furlongs into a strong headwind in 34.20 seconds.

Twilight Eclipse, who suffered his fifth setback at the hands of arch rival Main Sequence in as many meetings, stalked the pace of the longshot Change of Command, forged to the lead nearing mid-stretch, but as was the case in all four previous meetings, he proved no match for the dual champion at the end.

Main Sequence, a 6-year-old homebred son of Aldebaran trained by Graham Motion for Flaxman Holdings Ltd., completed the distance in 2:15.06 over a firm course and returned $3.40.

“He broke well. For one minute I thought he might be a little too close, but I think every time this horse has run, he’s improved,” said Motion. “His behavior has improved. He was as good as gold today in the paddock, which really impressed me. I really think he kind of won for fun, to be honest.”

Motion said it is Main Sequence’s sudden burst of speed at the end that separates him from the others.

“He really has some turn of foot,” said Motion. “I was a little concerned at the top of the stretch. It looked like he kind of asked him, and they motored away a little bit, but once he unleashes that turn of foot, he’s gone. There’s not much stopping him.”

Motion said Main Sequence will make his next start, as planned, in the rich Dubai Sheema Classic on March 28.