Marchman, Positive Side get rematch in Twin Spires Turf Sprint

Marchman and Positive Side, separated by less than a length combined in their previous two meetings, square off for the third time this year in the Grade 3, $150,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes.

Marchman led throughout to win the Grade 3 Shakertown Stakes on April 12 at Keeneland, going 5 1/2 furlongs, a sixteenth of a mile farther than the Twin Spires. Positive Side’s ground-saving rally from mid-pack came up a neck short. Prior to that, the two finished third and second, respectively, behind Gantry in the Colonel Power Stakes at Fair Grounds.

Also emerging from the Colonel Power is the versatile Sum of the Parts, a Grade 3 winner on Polytrack and a stakes winner on both turf and dirt. The gelding, who picked up two minor turf stakes wins at Fair Grounds and Sam Houston earlier this year, finished fourth after setting the pace and weakening in the Colonel Power and is one of several who could keep Marchman company on the front end. He somewhat disadvantageously drew post 8 in the field of nine.

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Stormofthecentury is making his first start since finishing fourth in the Grade 3 Woodford Stakes last October at Keeneland. Prior to that, the gelding had won three straight, capped with the Grade 3 Turf Monster Handicap in September at Parx Racing. Stewart Elliott, fresh off a huge spring meet at Keeneland, has the mount.

The field includes the veteran gelding Havelock, a five-time graded stakes winner.