Up to the Mark to Lane's End Upon Retirement

Multiple grade 1 winner Up to the Mark will enter stud at Lane's End Farm upon the conclusion of his racing career, the farm announced Oct. 2. The 4-year-old son of Not This Time, the leading fourth-crop sire who is also ranked in the top 10 on the North American general leading sires list, is campaigned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable. The partners acquired the colt for $450,000 during the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale through West Bloodstock out of the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment. Up to the Mark won his debut by 4 1/4 lengths going six furlongs on the Saratoga Race Course main track. After the colt didn't win again on the dirt, trainer Todd Pletcher tested him on the turf at Gulfstream Park for his first start of 2023. He won his turf debut by four lengths and two races later was third in the Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland. His next start on Kentucky Derby (G1) day in the Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) produced Up to the Mark's first win at the highest level, winning by 3 3/4 lengths and earning a 108 Equibase Speed Figure. The Turf Classic would be his fourth consecutive triple-digit ESF performance. Up to the Mark reinforced his grade 1 status by next taking the 1 1/4-mile Manhattan Stakes (G1T) by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:59.31. He earned a 114 ESF and raised his career earnings to $1,242,050. "He's a horse that we were always high on since he was 2," said Pletcher. "He broke his maiden first out on the dirt, but with the switch to the turf he really put that talent on display with his tremendous turn of foot. His impressive wins in the Turf Classic and the Manhattan showed that he is one of the top grass horses in the United States, and his speed figures back that up." Bred in Kentucky by Ramspring Farm, Up to the Mark is out of the Ghostzapper mare Belle's Finale, who is out of grade 1 winner and stakes producer Capote Belle (Capote). Belle's Finale is a full sister to graded-placed stakes winner and stakes producer Zapper Belle. The immediate family also has produced multiple graded stakes winner Catapult and graded stakes winners Real Courage and Duluth. Not This Time, a son of Giant's Causeway, has sired 30 career stakes winners, including 13 graded stakes winners and five grade 1 winners. His elite performers include 2022 champion 3-year-old colt and Travers Stakes (G1) winner Epicenter. "Up to the Mark's versatility and looks are what initially attracted Lane's End," according to Bill Farish with Lane's End. "He has a dirt pedigree and is by an emerging young sire. He really showed that he is one of the top turf horses in the U.S. with his dominating wins in back-to-back grade ones. We have a history in standing stallions that can get runners on all three surfaces and feel Up to the Mark has the potential to follow in that tradition."