Friday, October 17, 2008

IRISH IMPORT PORTO MARMAY RALLIES TO POST FIRST U.S. VICTORY

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 16, 2008) – Irish-bred Porto Marmay gained her first victory in this country Thursday when she nodded favored Simply Run in the final stride of Oak Tree’s $50,800 optional claiming feature for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs over Santa Anita’s hillside turf course.

With David Flores in the saddle, 3-year-old filly Porto Marmay closed boldly to win by a nose while racing the distance in 1:12.69 to end her losing streak that had encompassed four previous starts in the U.S.

Trainer Julio Canani had entered the import owned by Marsha Naify in last Saturday’s Harold Ramser Handicap, but had scratched on race morning. “That was too tough,” the trainer reflected.


Thursday’s assignment was her first in other than a stakes event since making her U.S. debut with a fifth-place finish in the Grade III La Habra Handicap at Santa Anita in February.

Porto Marmay’s best showing since had been a second in Hollywood Park’s Manhattan Handicap, and, a stakes winner in Ireland, she was pegged as the second choice at 3-1 for Thursday’s easier task.

The winner paid $8, $3.80 and $2.80. Simply Run, ridden by Rafael Bejarano, returned $3 and $2.20. Third-place finisher Dona Amelia, who wound up one-half length behind the runner-up with Alonso Quinonez aboard, paid $2.80 to show.

The victory was worth $30,000 to the connections of Porto Marmay while increasing her career earnings to $123,799 from an overall record of 3-1-0 in eleven races.

Oak Tree racing continues on Friday at Santa Anita with first post at 1 p.m. for the eight-race program.

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