Francatelli edges Quick Tempo in Rumson Stakes

Francatelli gamely fought off a host of challengers and won the $100,000 Rumson Stakes by a neck Saturday a Monmouth Park.

Breaking sharply, Francatelli made the lead under Mychel Sanchez. Francatelli was pressed down the backstretch and into the turn, through an opening quarter-mile in 21.77, by outside pace rival Sagamore Mischief. Quick Tempo made a move around the turn, getting pushed four paths wide, and Foolish Ghost squeezed through along the rail, a line of four into the homestretch with Francatelli smushed between rivals.

Foolish Ghost dropped away past the furlong pole as Francatelli disposed of Sagamore Mischief. Quick Tempo made a final push, but Francatelli would have none of it, stopping the timer in 57.26 for five furlongs on a fast track and paying $6.20 to win.

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“These were some nice horses in this race, but I don’t expect anything less from this horse every time he runs,” trainer Cal Lynch said. “He is just one of those warrior types, just as game as they come.”

Quick Tempo wound up 1 1/4 lengths in front of third-place Sagamore Mischief. Then came Foolish Ghost and Readyforprimetime. Overmatched longshot Uncle Roamie was pulled up and walked off the track.

Four-year-old Francatelli, a gelding by City Zip out of Salary Drive, by Mizzen Mast, had run well in his first four starts this season but Saturday’s was his first win of the year. Owned by Maribeth Sandford and Lynch Racing, Francatelli now has four wins on dirt and two sprinting on turf – a versatile and brave racehorse.