Up to the Mark scoring in the Coolmore Turf Mile on Oct. 7 at Keeneland, where he nipped Master of The Seas (IRE) by a nose. (Courtney Snow/Past The Wire)
Surface Switch Pays Off
Breeders’ Cup Notes
At this time last year, Up to the Mark had lost his most recent race by 10 lengths and was being prepared for his next start, which–as the even-money favorite–he lost by 5 1/2 lengths. In mid-December, following a fourth-place finish by 9 lengths, his record was 1-0-1 for five starts with earnings of $83,400.
“He’s a horse that trained very impressively before his debut, which he won, at Saratoga,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “Then we got a little bit frustrated with what he did after his maiden win. After his last his last dirt race at Aqueduct, I said, ‘You know, I think this might be a turf horse.’”
It turned out to be a brilliant call by the Hall of Fame trainer. Up to the Mark has proven to be a different horse on the grass. Since the surface switch he has won five of six starts – three in Grade 1 races – and brings a three-race winning streak into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).
Following that December dirt loss, Pletcher sent the horse to his winter training base in Florida at Palm Beach Downs and prepared him for a grass race. The first test came in a 1-mile optional claimer on Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park. Send off at 12-1, he came from well off the early pace and won by 4 lengths.
“I thought it was one of the most impressive first times on the turf, for a horse that I’ve seen in a long time,” Pletcher said. “He delivered a huge kick that day and drew away very impressively. From that point on we knew where his future was.”
Up to the Mark, co-owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, won again on March 4 at Gulfstream at 4-5 odds. Pletcher sent the son of Not This Time to Keeneland for the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) and he ended up third, missing second to Godolphin’s globe-trotting star Modern Games (IRE) by a neck.
On Kentucky Derby Day, May 6, Up to the Mark won the 1 1/8-mile Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs. Five weeks later, on the Belmont Stakes undercard, he won the 1¼ miles Manhattan (G1). Up to the Mark was off until the Coolmore Turf Mile on Oct. 7 at Keeneland, where he nipped Master of The Seas (IRE) by a nose.
After considering the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), Pletcher and the owners opted to run the colt in the 1 1/2-mile $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf.
“We just feel like the strength of his race in the Manhattan at a mile and a quarter and the firm ground in California that the mile and a half is what he’s best suited for,” Pletcher said.
Up to the Mark’s running style over the grass has made him so effective.
“The real key is the way he settles,” Pletcher said. “He was very relaxed in the Coolmore Mile early on, which allowed him to deliver that big kick. And he did the same thing in the Manhattan. And also the Turf at Churchill. He turns off, he can gallop and then he can accelerate. As long as he does that, going a mile and a half, we feel confident that he can get that distance.”
