ARCADIA, Calif. (April 20, 2018)–Having kept top company of late, heavily favored Marley’s Freedom took a dip into the conditioned allowance ranks on Friday at Santa Anita and responded with a powerful 2 ¼ length win under Drayden Van Dyke.  A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred filly by Blame, Marley’s Freedom, who is trained by Bob Hess, Jr., got six furlongs in a rapid 1:09.75.

Breaking from the outside in a field of six fillies and mares three and up, was in a good stalking position early and was on the move in third position heading into to the far turn.  With Surrender Now beginning to tire on the lead, Marley’s Freedom vied for the lead with Phantom Proton while four deep a quarter mile from home and proved best.

Off at 1-5 in the second condition allowance, Marley’s Freedom paid $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10.

“She ran straight as an arrow today,” said Van Dyke, who guided her to a second place finish versus highly regarded Selcourt in the Grade II, seven furlong Santa Monica Stakes here on March 24.  “I had to ask her to switch leads, but she did and she finished up great.”

A close fourth to mighty Unique Bella three starts back in the Grade I La Brea Stakes on Dec. 26, Marley’s Freedom, who is owned by Cicero Farms, LLC, won for the third time in nine starts.  With the winner’s share of $34,800, she increased her earnings to $173,435.

“We’re looking at two dirt races for her here,” said Hess.  “We’ll think about either the Desert Stormer (Grade III, six furlongs on May 27) or the Beholder Mile (Grade I, on June 2).”

Ridden by Joe Talamo, Phantom Proton was clearly second best, finishing 4 ½ lengths in front of Yuvetsi.  Off at 19-1, Phantom Proton paid $7.40 and $3.00.

Yuvetsi, who was the second choice with Tiago Pereira at 7-2, finished a neck in front of longshot Time for Ebby and paid $2.10 to show.

Fractions on the race were 22.14, 45.06 and 57.20.

First post time for an 11-race card on Saturday is at 12 noon.  For additional racing information, please visit santaanita.com.