Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable’s Kentucky-bred Up to the Mark scored a powerful victory in the $750,000 Manhattan S. (G1) at Belmont Park on Saturday, June 10, giving the son of Not This Time back-to-back Grade 1 wins following a facile score in the Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs in his previous start.
Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. for trainer Todd Pletcher, Up to the Mark made a swift move to the lead after rating comfortably in fourth through the early stages. In the convincing win, Up to the Mark covered the 1 ¼ miles on turf in 1:59.31, hitting the wire 2 ¾ lengths ahead of runner-up Soldier Rising (GB).
“He’s having a terrific year,” said Pletcher. “We always felt like he had a lot of promise. He won his debut on the dirt and then we got a little frustrated that he wasn’t moving forward, so we decided to try the turf. Obviously, that’s been the key to his turnaround.”
Ortiz said of the trip, “He broke good and put me in a good spot. Todd told me I have speed inside of me and to follow them. We were on the same page. So, when he broke and put me in a good spot, I took it. After that, I was sitting off the leaders waiting. He ran a great race.”
A $450,000 Keeneland September Sale graduate, Up to the Mark is produced from the Ghostzapper mare Belle’s Finale and was bred in the Bluegrass by Ramspring Farm. He is now a five-time winner from 10 career starts and is four-for-five on the turf, with lifetime earnings of $1,242,050.
“He gives me the impression that he’ll handle a little more ground,” Pletcher shared. “When you’re thinking Breeders’ Cup, he’s probably the type of horse where you go in two different directions. We probably need a little experience at a mile and half to know. We also have the Arlington Million at a mile and a quarter. We’ll enjoy this for the moment and come up with a strategy.”