Fowardly placed Scuba kicks away in dominating Marathon triumph

Favored Scuba, on or near the lead throughout the 1 ¾ miles trip, kicked clear from runner-up Hard Aces three eighths of a mile from home with Kendrick Carmouche and went on to a dominating 4 ¼ length win in Friday’s Grade II, $200,000 Marathon Stakes at Santa Anita. Trained by Brendan Walsh, the 5-year-old gelding registered his third consecutive win and got the distance in 2:58.20.

Off at 2-1 in a field of nine 3-year-olds and up, he provided Carmouche with his first-ever win at Santa Anita and paid $6.00, $3.40 and $2.60.

Hard Aces, a winner of last year’s Grade I Gold Cup at Santa Anita for trainer John Sadler, was forwardly place throughout under Santiago Gonzalez and proved second best, finishing 1 ½ lengths in front of Blue Tone, who likewise had been attentive to the pace. Off as the 3-1 second choice, he paid $4.20 and $3.40.

Blue Tone, ridden by Kent Desormeaux, was off at 6-1 and paid $5.40 to show.

Fractions on the race 24.17, 49.05, 1:14.67, 1:40.62 and 2:30.42.

Source: Santa Anita Park