Franco guides Munnings Express to Johnstone victory in stakes debut
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. − Munnings Express made her stakes debut a winning one and did it in style, parlaying a perfectly orchestrated trip by jockey Manny Franco into a very professional 1 3/4-length victory over Landed in the $200,000 Johnstone Stakes for older New York-bred fillies and mares Wednesday at Saratoga.
Munnings Express reeled off three consecutive one-sided victories earlier this year, two of them against open company, but was returning against New York-bred opposition for the seven-furlong Johnstone. She came into the race having hit the board in all 11 previous starts for her owner, Team Spoor, and trainer Linda Rice.
With Franco aboard for the first time in the Johnstone, Munnings Express rated in perfect striking position in the run down the backstretch just off a lively pace set by the stakes winner Bam’s Bliss Kiss. Munnings Express slipped inside the leader to challenge and quickly assume command midway on the bend, shook free readily when sharply roused upon settling into the stretch, and was never seriously menaced thereafter.
Landed prompted the pace from the outset and held on gamely through the final furlong to out-last the even-money favorite Usha, who saved ground much of the way, by three-quarters of a length to be second best. It was another 1 1/2 lengths farther back to the tiring Iron Orchard, who finished fourth.
Munnings Express, a 4-year-old daughter of Munnings, covered seven furlongs over a fast track in 1:23.39 seconds and returned $13.50 for her sixth victory in a dozen lifetime starts.
“That was a great ride, a terrific ride,” Rice enthused. “The last time she ran, she ran well but had a bit of a troubled trip. Her post position was awkward and things didn’t unfold that well, but Manny rode her beautifully today and I’m excited to get a stakes win with her.”
Munnings was unraced at 2, had a solid 3-year-old campaign, winning twice and banking over $132,000 in five starts. But Rice said she feels the filly has really come into herself this season.
“She was a very big 2-year-old who needed a lot of time to grow into herself,” said Rice. “As a 3-year old we got her to run a little bit, but she really didn’t come together until her 4-year-old season which was a function of her size and her immaturity. But she’s there now.”
Rice also ran With the Angels who raced wide and finished fifth in the Johnstone.
“With the Angels was a little flat today,” Rice admitted. “We’re a little disappointed, but she doesn’t owe us anything. She’s been wonderful, great to my ownership group and everyone involved.”
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