Marksman Queen Takes Them All the Way in Dick Memorial
Under a clever ride from Jorge Ruiz, Cayton Park Stud homebred Marksman Queen went to the front early and kicked on when challenged late to win the $250,000 Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes (G3T) July 5 at Delaware Park.
The win gave trainer Graham Motion a record 10th victory in the 1 3/8-mile turf race held a short drive from his base at Fair Hill Training Center near Elkton, Md. Motion’s first win in the Dick Memorial came in 1999 while his most recent was in 2023 with Sopran Basilea , also ridden by Ruiz.
Marksman Queen, a 5-year-old Dubawi mare, vaulted to the lead out of the gate Saturday. Parish Lane was the first to try to make a move, advancing from fifth place early up to second on the backstretch. Ruiz however sat chilly on the leader, maintaining a length lead into the third and final turn.
Just as Parish Lane’s attack stalled, Qatar Racing and Michaela Faust’s Spanish Eyes made a menacing three-wide move. The 4-year-old Zarak filly trained by Brendan Walsh drew nearly even with Marksman Queen, but when Ruiz asked for more, Marksman Queen responded. Those two battled to the wire, with Marksman Queen hanging on late to win by a head.
Due to a timer malfunction, no fractions were posted. The final time, which was hand timed, was listed as 2:15.85 over the firm turf. Marksman Queen paid $4.60 to win.
It was another 2 3/4 lengths back to Hooties Racing’s Boss Lady Bailey in third. The 5-year-old Connect mare trained by Mike Maker earned her first graded black-type placing.
Video: Robert G. Dick Memorial S. (G3T)
