Franco-Brown connection proves potent

ELMONT, N.Y. – Manny Franco became a go-to rider for trainer Chad Brown during the six months racing was held at Aqueduct, winning 20 races from 46 mounts between the winter and spring meets. While many of the regular riders Brown uses will be back at Belmont following the Kentucky Derby on May 7, Brown said he still plans to keep Franco as part of his rotation.

Brown said Franco’s winning rides aboard Unanimous Consent in Saturday’s $100,000 Woodhaven Stakes and Consumer Spending in Sunday’s $100,000 Memories of Silver Stakes were emblematic of the improvement he’s made in his game.

“He’s constantly trying to hone his skills and get better,” Brown said. “He takes feedback well. He’s working on his profession. He wants to get to the top. He’s making the most of his opportunities, and those are the people I want to work with. I’m really, really proud of him and he’s going to get more opportunities. We’re very fortunate in New York to have a very strong colony, and he’s very much a part of it. He’s had a very constant trajectory. Certainly, I’m confident putting him on any kind of horse and any level of race.”

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Franco rode 10 of Brown’s meet-high 13 winners at the Aqueduct spring meet. Overall, Franco won 15 races from 86 mounts at the 15-day spring session. While the wins tied him for third most in the standings – four behind leading rider Kendrick Carmouche – Franco won a meet-best three stakes and led all riders in purse money won with $1,192,273. He hopes the success can carry over to the Belmont meet where he will have to compete with Irad Ortiz Jr., Jose Ortiz, Joel Rosario, and newcomer Flavien Prat, among others.

“That helps, definitely,” said Franco, who is represented by agent John Panagot. “I’ll keep doing what I’ve been doing, and keep getting opportunities like this.”