Marjoram goes last to first in Senorita Stakes
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ARCADIA, Calif. - Marjoram closed from last of 10 to win for the second time in her third start in Saturday’s Grade 3 Senorita Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.
With a measure of luck, Marjoram would be unbeaten.
After winning a maiden race at Churchill Downs in November, Marjoram finished fifth in an allowance race for 3-year-old fillies at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course on April 4, stumbling at the start and racing in traffic midway through the race.
The Senorita Stakes was a more straightforward performance.
Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Marjoram broke slowly, but closed steadily between rivals in the last furlong to reach the front in the final strides. Marjoram ($9.20) finished a head in front of Light Won Up, the 3-2 favorite.
Hernandez said Marjoram was a more poised filly on Saturday than in the moments before the April 4 race.
“She was a little excited when she saw the gate,” Hernandez said of Marjoram’s first start of the year. “I think that is what happened last time. She was moving around and moving around and she stumbled and I almost fell off.”
There was no such drama in the $102,500 Senorita, aside from a slow start. Marjoram was ninth midway through the race and sixth with a furlong to go, trailing stretch leader Revera by slightly more than 1 1/2 lengths.
“She has no speed,” Hernandez said. “I was waiting to come over the dirt, and I asked her to pick it up.”
Marjoram ran about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside course in 1:13.78 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 80. Light Won Up, who won the Sweet Life Stakes on the hillside course in February, finished a half-length in front of 13-1 Yours Sincerely.
Revera faded to finish fourth, followed by Surfin’ U.S.A., Will Happen, Still Unwritten, Bella Lyra, Mo’ Em Down and Dreaming of Alys.
Marjoram, by Quality Road, races for owner and breeder Juddmonte Farm and trainer Michael McCarthy. Marjoram has earned $130,700 in her three starts.
Hernandez, for one, is eager to see what she can do at longer distances. The opportunity could arise as soon as the $100,000 Honeymoon Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf on June 6.
“I think she can go a mile,” he said. “She can chill at the back and make a move.”
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