Marksman Queen asserted herself early and led every step of the way to win the $219,665 Keertana Stakes May 24 at Churchill Downs. The victory gave the 5-year-old mare's international superstar sire Dubawi his 300th stakes winner.
Marksman Queen stopped the timer in a stakes record 2:26.74 for 1 1/2 miles over firm turf under Frankie Dettori, who rode the winner for trainer Graham Motion and owner/breeder Gaynor Allison Rupert's Cayton Park Stud. Marksman Queen eclipsed Miss Yearwood's Keertana time of 2:27.45 from 2023.
"I had two starts with her and I know her better," Dettori said. "It's all about the mentality with her. If she's in a good rhythm, she can do that."
Marksman Queen broke well from post 5 in the field of eight fillies and mares and dictated the pace of :24.16, :49.27, 1:14.37, 1:39.02, and 2:02.85. Dreaming of Mo finished a half-length back in second, with Tarneema third.
Marksman Queen won for the fourth time in 16 career starts, boosting her earnings to $232,424. She is out of the grade 2-winning Touch Gold mare Sharp Susan.
Dubawi, a 23-year-old son of Dubai Millennium, stands at Darley's Dalham Hall Stud in England for a fee of £350,000 (approx. US$474,000) in 2025. His 300 stakes winners include 10 champions and 192 graded black-type winners worldwide, according to Equineline.
