Tough start can't stop Mark My Words from winning Howard B. Noonan Stakes

Mark My Words overcame a rough start to roll by 5 3/4 lengths in the $75,000 Howard B. Noonan Stakes on Thursday afternoon at Mahoning Valley, establishing himself as a major player in the Ohio-bred sophomore ranks.

Mark My Words ($4.20), who had Erik Barbaran in the irons for trainer Robert Gorham, was pinballed between inside and outside foes, then pinched back at the start of the six-furlong race. He adroitly recovered to advance four-wide up the backstretch, was comfortably in striking distance at the quarter pole, and drew clear as he pleased. Mary My Words finished the race on a muddy, sealed track in 1:12.72.

The filly Miss Elecktra, wheeling back just two weeks after her last effort, was seventh of nine early and finished well to be second, 4 1/2 lengths clear of Sun of War in third.

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