Marksman Queen took the lead right out of the starting gate and never looked back on her way to posting a half-length victory over Dreaming of Mo in the $219,665 Listed Keertana Stakes at Churchill Downs on Saturday, 24 May.
Not only did the five-year-old Dubawi mare earn her first Stakes win in the Keertana, but she also set a new Stakes record, covering the 12-furlong turf contest in 2:26.74 over a ‘firm’ turf course.
Marksman Queen broke well from post No. 5 in the field of eight fillies and mares and was able to relax, cruising through an opening quarter-mile in :24.16 with a half-mile in :49.27. Strikingly Spun (by Hard Spun), tracked her from second, with Dreaming of Mo racing in third.
Strikingly Spun moved to challenge Marksman Queen on the far turn and was able to get within a neck of the longtime leader, but Marksman Queen quickly shook free in mid-stretch. She then held the rest of the field at bay in the final stages to get the victory. Dreaming of Mo finished second, with Tarneema another half-length back in third.
Marksman Queen was bred in Great Britain by her owner, Cayton Park Stud and is out of the Graded Stakes-winning Touch Gold mare, Sharp Susan. Winner of the G2 Lake Placid Stakes during her racing career, Sharp Susan is also the dam of Oh Susanna (by Street Cry), Horse of the Year and Champion three-year-old filly in South Africa and Signore Fox (by Exceed And Excel), winner of the G3 Star Kingdom Stakes in Australia. The immediate family also boasts several G1 winners including Spring At Last, Sharp Lisa, and Bien Bien.
Dubawi is enjoying another excellent season and recently sired his third winner of the G1 Lockinge Stakes when Lead Artist gained a first victory at the highest level. Since the Pattern began, no stallion has ever sired more winners of the race.
Dubawi has now sired an outstanding 299 individual Stakes winners, with 61 winning in Group 1 company. He looks to have a leading chance of claiming his first G1 Derby next month with impressive Leopardstown trial winner Delacroix.
