Marley's Freedom 5-year-old debut in the $200,000 Santa Monica S. (G2) Feb. 16 at Santa Anita Park couldn't have been more impressive, winning by nearly two lengths over Selcourt.
The aforementioned Selcourt, last year's Santa Monica winner, was intent on getting the lead Saturday, while Drayden Van Dyke let Marley's Freedom settle in third through the first furlong. Around the turn, Selcourt opened up by three lengths and looked to repeat her win, but Marley's Freedom was full of run entering the stretch and rolled by the leader, was wrapped up late to finish the seven furlongs in 1:22.34 on a fast main track.
After a stellar 2018 campaign that saw her win five of eight starts and earne $718,550, Marley's Freedom upped her lifetime record to 8-2-0 in 15 starts and her earnings to $935,935 for owner Cicero Farms.
Saturday's win was Baffert's fourth in the Santa Monica, and first since Gabby's Golden Gal scored in 2010.