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Maram holds off Heart Shaped in Juvenile Fillies Turf

Maram (green cap) just held Heart Shaped in the Juvenile Fillies Turf (Charles Pravata/Horsephotos.com) Not long after Bobby Frankel basked in the glory of Ventura's (Chester House) romp in the Filly & Mare Sprint, ex-Frankel assistant Chad Brown experienced the thrill of victory when his first-ever Breeders' Cup runner MARAM (Sahm) prevailed by a nose in Friday's $1,035,080 Juvenile Fillies Turf. Brown was not the only neophyte breaking through in this event, for jockey Jose Lezcano was also winning in his initial Breeders' Cup ride on his first day at Santa Anita. "It's unbelievable," Brown said. "I can't believe it. My grandfather passed last Tuesday and they told me they were going to lay him to rest today. And I couldn't be there, and I knew it meant we were going to win. She didn't get the respect she deserved because I ran her for a tag the first time. But it really doesn't matter; the numbers said she was good enough. The two guys I worked for (Shug McGaughey and Frankel) told me she belonged, and I think she belonged, and she did." As expected, 5-2 favorite Laragh (Tapit) went to the early lead and rattled off quick splits of :22 2/5, :45 4/5 and 1:10. Renda (Medaglia d'Oro) tracked the pace in second, with C Karma (Exchange Rate) and Emmy Darling (Graeme Hall) also forwardly placed, and Maram rating comfortably in midpack. At the top of the stretch, Laragh tried to put the race away and spurted as many as 2 1/2 lengths clear, but she began to tire late.

Meanwhile, Maram commenced her rally down the center of the course and overhauled Laragh in the final yards. Victory was hardly assured, however, for Irish invader Heart Shaped (Storm Cat) was closing fast on the outside. The two flashed past the wire virtually in unison, but the photo proved that Maram's dark bay nose remained in front of the white-faced chestnut. She completed the firm-turf mile in 1:35 to remain perfect from three starts.

"I had to wait a little bit, when I got out, I said, 'I got a good chance in the race,'" Lezcano recapped. "She came running, she kicked. When I asked her, I saw the other horse (Heart Shaped), and I said, 'I got it.'"

"It was my first ride in the Breeders' Cup," Lezcano added. "I'm only four years in this country. It's good for me to win a Breeders' Cup. It's unbelievable."

"I had a good trip," said Johnny Murtagh, who rode Heart Shaped. "I followed the winner all the way around. When she (Maram) made her run, so did I. But it took my filly a few strides to find her best. When she did, she was really rolling. One more bounce and we were there."

Another length back came Laragh, followed by Saucey Evening (More Than Ready), Emmy Darling, Consequence (El Prado [Ire]), Sugar Mom (Monarchos), C Karma, Freedom Rings (Proud Citizen), Renda, April Pride (GB) (Falbrav [Ire]) and Beyond Our Reach (Ire) (Danehill Dancer). The also-eligibles Internallyflawless (Giant's Causeway) and Atka (Swiss Yodeler) did not draw into the field.

Sent off as the co-fifth choice at 11-1, Maram returned $24.20, $13.20 and $6.40 while spearheading $1 exotics worth $175.10 (exacta), $898.90 (trifecta) and $5,796.30 (3-12-2-11 superfecta). The nearly 11-1 Heart Shaped gave back $11.60 and $6.60, and Laragh yielded $3.40 to show.

Maram has come a long way since she RNA'd for a mere $9,500 as a weanling at Keeneland November. Successful in her debut at Saratoga for a $75,000 tag, she stepped up into stakes company next time out in the Miss Grillo S. (G3), where she got up late to score by a neck. Maram's lucrative Breeders' Cup triumph boosted her bankroll to $733,320.

Bred in Kentucky by Palides Investments N.V. and Hair 'Em Corp., Maram is owned by Karen N. Woods and Saud bin Khaled. She is the first foal to survive from the winning American Dreamer (Quest for Fame [GB]), who is also responsible for a weanling filly by Ten Centuries.

More Breeders' Cup Recaps:

Take Charge Brandi upsets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at 61-1

30-1 Karakontie lives up to pedigree in Mile

Bayern survives inquiry to win Breeders' Cup Classic

Dayatthespa proves uncatchable in Filly & Mare Turf

Judy the Beauty holds on at wire in Filly & Mare Sprint

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