Marley's Freedom due for some luck in allowance

ARCADIA, Calif. – Marley’s Freedom had two graded winners behind her at the finish last out. Friday at Santa Anita, her concerns are two that could be in front of her early.

Pace-presser Yuvetsi and comeback front-runner Surrender Now face Marley’s Freedom Friday at Santa Anita in race 4, a second-level allowance sprint that kicks off a pick six with a $68,740 traditional carryover.

Marley’s Freedom enters the six-furlong sprint with the highest speed figures and conspicuous company lines. “When you see Unique Bella and Paradise Woods, that kind of catches your eye,” trainer Bob Hess Jr. said.

Hess was referring to the fourth by Marley’s Freedom in the Grade 1 La Brea on Dec. 26, a race won by Unique Bella. Her most recent start was the best of her career, a runner-up finish to Selcourt in the Grade 2 Santa Monica while outfinishing graded winners Skye Diamonds and Paradise Woods.

Despite the class drop Friday, Marley’s Freedom is not a cinch. The allowance “is a nice spot, but it’s no gimme,” Hess said. “Yuvetsi is a nice filly – I think that’s the horse to beat – and [Surrender Now] is nice.”

Marley’s Freedom is due for some luck. She was shuffled out of position finishing fourth in the La Brea, stumbled at the break before finishing sixth in a Grade 3 at Gulfstream Park, and did not break well from the rail last out in the Santa Monica.

“She broke outward and the jock had to check her,” Hess said. “She was farther back than we thought she would be.”

Marley’s Freedom saved ground the rest of the way and was up for second. On Friday, Marley’s Freedom drew the outside post under Drayden Van Dyke.

“We’re out in the clear – a lot will depend on the break,” Hess said. “The break will dictate what Drayden does. The filly will run her race regardless.”

Three others were entered in the six-horse field – Time for Ebby, Citizen Kitty, and Phantom Proton.

KEY CONTENDERS

Marley’s Freedom, by Blame
Last 3 Beyers: 96-76-94

◗ With a clean break, Marley’s Freedom is quick enough to establish a forward position. “She can lay anywhere,” Hess said.

◗ Hess has won with five of his last six favorites.

Yuvetsi, by Bodemeister
Last 3 Beyers: 84-76-75

◗ Her runner-up finish last out was the best race of her career. The filly that beat her, Spectator, returned to finish second in the Santa Anita Oaks.

◗ Yuvetsi, trained by John Sadler, has a forwardly placed running style that could lead to a good trip positioned second behind the speed.

Surrender Now, by Morning Line
Last 3 Beyers: N/A-79-68

◗ A 3-year-old filly likely to set the pace on Friday, Surrender Now won her first two starts, including an eight-length romp in the Landaluce Stakes in July.

◗ Peter Miller trains Surrender Now, who was eased in the Grade 2 Sorrento in August at Del Mar, and came out of the race with a tibia injury.