Mardukas rallied strongly along the inner rail, powered through the stretch, and proved a determined winner of a $92,000 maiden special weight going 5 ½ furlongs Sunday at Churchill Downs, becoming the first winner for his sire, 2017 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Always Dreaming.
Ridden by jockey Corey Lanerie for trainer Jeff Engler, Mardukas raced close to the early pace before taking the lead in early stretch and prevailed by a neck in a long drive to the finish line.
Mardukas owned by Daniel Preiss and Chris Province and was bred in Kentucky by Hubert Vester. A graduate of the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale, selling to Preiss out the Mulholland Springs consignment for $20,000, the colt was produced from the Pulpit mare Blue Kisses and descends from the female family of Grade 1 winners Videogenic and Valid Video.
Always Dreaming, also winner of the 2017 Florida Derby (G1), was an earner of $2.4 million on the racetrack for owners Brooklyn Boyz Stables, Teresa Viola Racing Stables, Siena Farm LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds, MeB Racing Stables LLC, and St. Elias Stables.
Trained by Todd Pletcher and bred by Santa Rosa Partners, Always Dreaming broke his maiden by an eye-catching 11 ½ lengths in his 3-year-old debut and captured the Florida Derby by five lengths in the fastest time since Alydar in 1978—1:47.47—faster than Quality Road, Scat Daddy, and Empire Maker. He validated those impressive scores with a valiant victory in the Kentucky Derby, winning by 2 ¾ lengths as the favorite in his first start over an off track.
Hailing from the dominant Unbridled sire line, Always Dreaming is by Bodemeister out of the Grade 1-placed Above Perfection, by In Excess, and is a half Grade 1 winner Hot Dixie Chick, the dam of Pauline's Pearl, winner of this year's La Troienne Stakes (G1).
For more information about Always Dreaming, who stands for $12,500 stands and nurses, visit WinStarFarm.com.
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