Chanteline rallies late to win Franklin County

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Chanteline maintained her terrific recent form when rallying from midpack for a hard-earned victory Friday in the 22nd running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Franklin County Stakes on the Keeneland turf.

Giving jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. his first-ever Keeneland stakes triumph, Chanteline finished three-quarters of a length ahead of favored Belvoir Bay in a frantic finish to the 5 1/2-furlong turf race. Morticia, the 2017 Franklin County winner, was another half-length back in third and another neck ahead of pace-setting Girls Know Best in a field of 13 fillies and mares.

Chanteline, a 6-year-old Kentucky-bred mare by Majesticperfection, paid $8.60 as second choice after finishing in 1:02.89 over firm going. In her previous start, the Aug. 26 Smart N Fancy over the Saratoga turf, Chanteline earned a career-high 104 Beyer Speed Figure when drawing off by three lengths. Steve Asmussen trains her for Ten Broeck Farm, Inc.

“She’s got a big heart and she’s gotten really good,” said Asmussen assistant Scott Blasi. “She’s been very special to us.”

Chanteline now has won 9 of 26 starts and has earned $584,972.

Santana, 25, has become one of the top young riders in North America in recent years when riding first call for Asmussen and has fared particularly well at Saratoga and Oaklawn Park. At Oaklawn, he has been the leading jockey each of the last six years.

“This is very special,” said Santana. “The mare gave me all she had.”

Among several early scratches was Ruby Notion, a recent two-time stakes winner who will be pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint if she can make the 14-horse cutoff.

The $2 exacta (9-3) paid $32.80, the $1 trifecta (9-3-6) returned $74.80, and the 10-cent superfecta (9-3-6-7) was worth $28.87.

Ontrack attendance was 17,192.