July 19 - Yesterday (Sunday, July 18) at Hollywood Park in California, Canadian-bred horse Marlang delivered a superb performance to win the featured $100,000 Sunset Handicap (Gr 3), his first stakes win in two years.

Bred in Ontario, Marlang hit his stride as a 3-year-old colt in 2008 to become one of the most touted runners in Canada. However, his success was overshadowed by a couple of long layoffs that saw him slip out of the spotlight.

Fast forward two years to Sunday's Sunset Handicap, with its six-horse field including Irish-bred favorite Buenos Dias, Kentucky-bred second favorite Champ Pegasus and joint fourth favorites, Dynamic Range and Marlang.

While many punters were unsure as to how Marlang would perform, they were put in the picture soon enough once the 1 1/2 mile turf race got underway. Marlang, under jockey Joel Rosario, launched himself into an early lead.

And as the race progressed, it became apparent that Marlang had no intention of relinquishing the lead and despite an impressive last-ditch challenge from Champ Pegasus, continued to power on until he crossed the line in first place.

Champ Pegasus crossed the line a length behind Marlang while Usual Suspect snatched third place. Marlang covered the course in a none-too-shabby time of 2:25.46. The 5-year-old horse returned $6.80 to fans that backed him.

Said a thrilled Rosario after the race, 'I sent him to the lead and he got a little tough after that. He's a long-striding horse and about halfway through the race he came back to me real nice. That's why he finished better today.'

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2011/12/09 12:47:22 AM