Marina's Legacy closes out career with Frances Slocum Stakes win

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Nov. 6, 2019) – Marina’s Legacy has been a force on the Indiana stakes circuit for the past two years and at the age of five, she added another title to her already impressive resume. Guided by Jesus Castanon, the five-year-old mare turned in a fantastic finish to win the 19th running of the $150,000 Frances Slocum Stakes. The race also marked the final race of her career as she heads to the second phase of her life as a brood mare.

Starting from post three in the full field of 12, Marina’s Legacy knew to anticipate early speed from Expect Indy and Emmanuel Esquivel to her inside. However, the daughter of Divine Park was able to get out quickly and secure the top spot with Fireball Baby and Marcelino Pedroza Jr. to their outside. Marina’s Legacy continued to lead the entire way but came under heavy pressure in the final turn. Marina’s Legacy never relinquished her top spot and repelled all advances from the outside as she hit the top of the stretch.

In the stretch, Marina’s Legacy kicked into a second gear and put more distance between her and the rest of the field, scoring the win by three and one-half lengths in a time of 1:44.93. Expect Indy was a solid second over Magical Peapod and Albin Jimenez, who closed well for third.

“The mare (Marina’s Legacy) stood good in the gate and we wanted a good break, and she got it,” said Castanon. “At the quarter pole, I knew I had plenty of horse left.”

The win was the eighth career trip to the winner’s circle for Marina’s Legacy, who ends her career win earnings in excess of $484,000. She has been trained by Aaron West her entire campaign. The chestnut mare was born and raised by the Bone Doctors Stable, and she will continue that legacy for the next generation of Thoroughbreds for the partnership of doctors that hail from Evansville, Ind.

“We hope to be back here in four years with her babies,” said Phil Gilson, urologist and managing partner of Bone Doctors Stable. “Great finish, great career, special horse.”

Only a slight surprise for the win, Marina’s Legacy returned $8.20, $4.20 and $3.40 across the board as the winner of the Frances Slocum Stakes, which was her fourth career stakes win at Indiana Grand.