Marley's Freedom earns Grade 1 in Saratoga's Ballerina Stakes

One race after winning the Grade 1 Personal Ensign with Abel Tasman, Bob Baffert and Mike Smith were back in Saratoga’s winner circle Saturday with Marley’s Freedom, who took the Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina Stakes, a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

A 4-year-old filly by Blame, the Ballerina was the fourth consecutive win for Marley’s Freedom, and her first at the Grade 1 level. She pulled away to win by 3 ¼ lengths while the others battled to hit the board.

“[It was an] unbelievable race today,” Baffert said. “When I saw her at the top of the stretch on the outside, I felt pretty good. She had an extra gear, that's how she works. She and Abel [Tasman] have been working unbelievably. I didn't think she would win by that far.”

Marley’s Freedom broke mid-pack and worked her way up to third behind Finley’sluckycharm and Lewis Bay, passing Ivy Bell and Still There while Tequilita, Union Strike and Cairenn rounded out the field. The pacesetter had her way on the lead, going 23.11 and 45.44, but pressure was coming from Lewis Bay.

Smith went to the outside for a clear stretch run and, despite the wide move, had enough under him to overtake Lewis Bay. Finley’sluckycharm began to lose the lead and Ivy Bell tried to take the rail.

As the front runners faded, Marley’s Freedom continue to widen her winning margin. Still There was given room to run, catching Lewis Bay for second while Union Strike ran on for fourth ahead of Ivy Bell, Tequilita, Finley’sluckycharm and Cairenn.

“Early on she was still a little bit green and just learning,” Smith said. “But I’ll tell you what, these last four or five races she’s been very impressive.”

The winner finished off the seven furlongs on 1:21.39.

“Winning her last two races was pretty impressive,” Baffert said. “The quality is there and you have to come to Saratoga if you are looking for a championship. That is why I brought her, to see how she fits [and] this is a pretty good field.”

Although Baffert and Smith do not have a horse entered in the Travers this year, the Ballerina adds to their success on the day. Baffert and Smith also paired to win the Travers from 2016-17 with Arrogate and West Coast.

“I’m just glad that I’m part of the team,” Smith said of working with Baffert. “We seem to click together and we come here and magic happens.”