Marley's Freedom wins second straight stakes in Great Lady M.

CYPRESS, Calif. – Marley’s Freedom won the most prestigious race of her career in Saturday’s Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes for female sprinters at Los Alamitos, showing jockey Drayden Van Dyke the sort of performance he has come to expect from the rapidly improving 4-year-old.

Marley’s Freedom ($2.40) closed from last in a field of five to win the $200,000 Great Lady M. by 1 1/2 lengths over 5-2 Skye Diamonds. The margin was somewhat deceptive. Marley’s Freedom was in control of the race through the final furlong, finishing 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.

Marley’s Freedom earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 91.

“She’s really cool,” Van Dyke said. “She has a turn of foot for a big filly like she is. She does what you want her to do.”

The winner of the Grade 3 Desert Stormer Stakes at Santa Anita under Van Dyke on May 27, Marley’s Freedom was a standout in the Great Lady M. She trailed pacesetter Phantom Proto by two lengths through an opening quarter-mile in 22.09 seconds and by 1 1/2 lengths through a half-mile in 45.42. With a wide rally, Marley’s Freedom was in front with more than a furlong remaining.

Skye Diamonds, who won the 2017 Great Lady M. Stakes, finished three lengths clear of 12-1 Phantom Proton, who was followed by Best of Me and Turkish Tabby.

The Great Lady M. Stakes was the best result for Skye Diamonds in four starts this year. She was sixth in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs on May 5 on a wet-fast track and third earlier this year in two stakes at Santa Anita.

Saturday, Skye Diamonds was near Phantom Proton through the first half-mile.

“She’s too sharp and took off,” trainer Bill Spawr said. “She ran great.”

Marley’s Freedom, trained by Bob Baffert, has won 5 of 11 starts and earned $353,435. The Desert Stormer and Great Lady M. Stakes are her only stakes wins.

Owners Ron and Barbara Perry said in the winner’s circle that Marley’s Freedom will be considered for the Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes, a $500,000 race for fillies and mares at seven furlongs at Saratoga on Aug. 25. The Perrys race as Cicero Farms.