Marchman springs 23-1 surprise in Shakertown

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Darting to the lead under Robby Albarado, 23-1 shot Marchman turned away all comers to win the Grade 3, $100,000 Shakertown Stakes by a neck Saturday at Keeneland.

The connections of Marchman – trainer Bret Calhoun and owner Martin Racing – were not without any anxious moments. Although the winner spurted clear the top of the lane, a fast-closing 33-1 shot Positive Side rallied to his inside and was coming after Marchman late.

Nearing the sixteenth pole, it appeared Marchman might be in danger of being caught, but under pressure from Albarado, his mount gamely held on.

The winner, a 4-year-old son of Sharp Humor, completed 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02.36 after setting fractions of 22.37 seconds and 45.07 over a firm turf course. He paid $49.60.

Something Extra rallied for third, with Hogy running fourth. The favored Havelock was seventh.

Albarado said he learned something in riding for the first time Marchman in his previous race when the horse was third in the Colonel Power at Fair Grounds on March 15.

“He’s a big heavy horse and you kind of have to keep the reins in his jaw,” he said. “So I tried to gather him, keep him together, and keep running to the wire.”

Calhoun credited Albarado for an impromptu decision to send the versatile Marchman to the lead. “The horse was going well that first quarter-mile, and I think that won the race,” he said.

It was the second Shakertown victory for Calhoun, whose horse Mr. Nightlinger won the race in 2008. Martin Racing was co-owner of Mr. Nightlinger with Carl Moore Management.