Marsalis a runner from a running family

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Hot Dixie Chick raced barely more than a year, from May 2009 to May 2010, with a victory in the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga being her greatest feat from seven starts, all for Steve Asmussen. It’s what has happened in the last 12 years, however, that makes her a Thoroughbred of note.

Hot Dixie Chick not only is a half-sister to 2017 Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming, but the 15-year-old mare has produced such standouts as the ultra-fleet Union Jackson, a two-time stakes winner, and Pauline’s Pearl, a 4-year-old Tapit filly who earlier this year became a Grade 1 winner by taking the La Troienne at Churchill Downs for Asmussen.

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Thursday evening at Churchill, Asmussen will be reminded of all that proud history when he saddles Marsalis, a 3-year-old Curlin colt out of Hot Dixie Chick, ahead of the only allowance on an eight-race card. Bred and owned by Stonestreet Stables, Marsalis will be returning from a layoff of nearly six months in the $127,000 first-level race for 3-year-olds and upward at six furlongs.

Marsalis has shown promise in his two starts, both at Fair Grounds earlier this year. He won a March 26 maiden race with an 81 Beyer Speed Figure after being narrowly defeated on debut the previous month. After getting time at Stonestreet in Florida, he has returned with eight works at Saratoga, the latest Sept. 12, in preparing for his comeback.

Marsalis will break from post 6 with Ricardo Santana Jr. aboard. Opposing him are a number of capable sorts – all of them also returning from layoffs of varying lengths – including Badgeball (post 4, Mitch Murrill), who has been gelded since getting an 82 Beyer in a June 25 maiden victory, as well as Spartan Army, Improbable Journey, Page One, and Run Classic. In all, 16 are entered, but only as many as 12 can start.

First post Thursday is 5 p.m. Eastern, with the race 7 feature going under the lights at 7:54. Perfect early-autumn weather is in the local forecast.