Markle has rooting interests on two fronts

AUBURN, Wash. – Dan Markle will have one eye on a TV monitor Saturday, rooting for California Chrome in the Kentucky Derby, and another on his talented 4-year-old sprinter Country Rules, a leading contender in the featured race at Emerald Downs.

A veteran trainer who keeps horses at both Golden Gate Fields and Emerald Downs, Markle has crossed paths many times with Art Sherman, California Chrome’s trainer, and Sherman’s sons, Steve and Alan.

“I know Art and his sons, and he’s a California horse to boot,” Markle said of California Chrome. “It’s such a fairy-tale story to begin with. Greg Gilchrist gave him the mare because she just broke her maiden for $8,000, and he didn’t want any cheap horses. And then they won the breeding to the sire in a golf tournament. And then they turned down $6 million for a half-interest in him?

“Like I said, it’s a fairy tale. And with a good, clean break, I think the horse will be off to the races.”

At Emerald, Markle will tighten the girth on Country Rules in the day’s eighth race, a first-level allowance with a $25,000 optional-claiming price at 5 1/2 furlongs. He’ll face five rivals, including recent winners Belt and Prayer for Da Bric. Country Rules will break from the inside post with Jose Zunino.

“He should show up,” Markle said.

Country Rules faded to finish seventh in his season debut two weeks ago.

“He’s got a race in him now,” Markle said. “He didn’t fare as well as I wanted him to, but that was an exceptionally tough race, and a large field to boot. If he doesn’t have any trouble, I think he’ll be a factor. He’s a solid little horse.”

Markle is situated to have another profitable meeting at Emerald. One of his stable stars could be Strawberry Dawn, a 3-year-old filly who recorded a smashing allowance victory in her first start of the year. Meanwhile, he will shuttle occasionally to Golden Gate, where he has a smaller string. Markle is 6 for 23 at the Golden Gate meeting.

“I’ve got a dozen here now,” he said of his Emerald contingent. “I usually have more than that. But I’ve got some horses at Golden Gate that have been running well, and I’ll probably leave them there. I’ve got one in Saturday on the grass and some others running around two turns. And then I’ve got some 2-year-olds that will be showing up later this month.”