Marley's Freedom makes Desert Stormer first stakes win

ARCADIA, Calif. - An ideal trip behind a rapid early pace helped Marley’s Freedom find a stakes winner’s circle for the first time in Sunday’s Grade 3 Desert Stormer for fillies and mares at Santa Anita.

Marley’s Freedom ($3.80) closed from fourth in a field of five to win the $100,000 race at six furlongs by 7 1/4 lengths under a confident ride by jockey Drayden Van Dyke.

Marley’s Freedom's chances were helped when even-money Miss Sunset, 35-1 Cuyathy and 16-1 Yuvetsi fought through an opening quarter-mile in 21.70 seconds. Miss Sunset was briefly clear early on the turn but was quickly challenged by Marley’s Freedom before the stretch.

Marley’s Freedom led by three lengths with a furlong remaining. She was timed in 1:09.31.

“I was smiling when I saw those three gun out of there,” Van Dyke said. “I was waiting to let her go.

“I felt like I had a ton of horse down the lane.”

Miss Sunset held second, finishing 4 3/4 lengths in front of Yuvetsi, who was followed by Classy Tune and Cuyathy. Miss Sunset won two stakes for California-bred female sprinters earlier this year before finishing second by a nose in the Grade 1 Madison Stakes at Keeneland on April 7.

The Desert Stormer was Marley’s Freedom’s first start for trainer Bob Baffert, having previously been trained by Bob Hess Jr. earlier this year. The switch was made after Marley’s Freedom won an allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option at six furlongs on April 20. Marley’s Freedom was second in the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes here on March 24.

Van Dyke was aboard for the Santa Monica and the recent optional claimer, but was more impressed by Sunday’s performance.

“That was the best race of her life,” he said.

Owned by Cicero Farms, Marley’s Freedom has won 4 of 10 starts and earned $233,435.