Marckie's Water should be breathing better in San Luis Rey Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – In the stretch of the Unusual Heat Turf Classic at Santa Anita on Jan. 26, Marckie’s Water was losing touch with the leaders rapidly. The 5-2 second choice, Marckie’s Water finished last of 10, 8 3/4 lengths behind race winner Rye.

Not long after the race, Marckie’s Water was diagnosed with a breathing problem, an entrapped epiglottis that required surgery.

“Last time, he had an excuse,” trainer Richard Baltas said this week.

The next race for Marckie’s Water is Friday’s Grade 2 San Luis Rey Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf, the third time Marckie’s Water will start in a graded stakes. Owned by the Little Red Feather Racing partnership and Norman Tavares, Marckie’s Water was ninth in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby in 2017 and fourth, beaten only 1 3/4 lengths, in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar last November.

Marckie’s Water won the Snow Chief Stakes for California-breds in 2017.

“We’re hoping he fits,” Baltas said. “He’s had solid works. I hope I have him fit enough.”

The $200,000 San Luis Rey is the main race on an eight-race program. It drew only six runners and is led by Epical and Beach View, the second- and third-place finishers in the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes on Feb. 9.