Franco notches win milestone as Spirit of St. Louis scores in Mohawk Stakes

Spirit of St Louis lifted jockey Manny Franco to the 2,000th win of his career Sunday when he held off a charging City Man for a half-length victory in the $200,000 Mohawk at Aqueduct.

It was another three-quarters of a length back in third to Jerry the Nipper.

The race was the first of eight stakes making up the annual Empire Showcase card for New York-breds. The stakes were worth a cumulative $1.6 million on what was the closing-day program.

Spirit of St Louis ($4.50) sat just off the pace set by Ruse, who took the field through an opening quarter in 24.90 seconds, a half-mile in 51.57 and six furlongs in 1:16.37. Spirit of St Louis put in a determined stretch run, holding off a surging City Man while covering the 1 1/16 miles on yielding ground in 1:44.90.

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“He helped me a lot because he jumped out of there running,” Franco told the New York Racing Association. "I just let him do what he wanted to do because I know the pace wasn’t fast in front. I just kept my position and he was there for me the whole way.”

Franco was aboard for trainer Chad Brown. The rider said he was pleased to get the milestone early on the card Sunday.

“I had that on me the whole week, so I’m glad to do it early,” he told NYRA. “I’m a little calm now and happy to do it.

“Every win means a lot, so right now, I can’t pick one [favorite]. Every win is a blessing. I’m just happy to do this.”

Franco is a 28-year-old native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, according to NYRA. His top mounts through the years have included Tiz the Law, winner of the Belmont Stakes and the Travers.

Spirit of St Louis has won four of his last five starts since moving to turf, with his lone loss during that period coming to City Man in the West Point. Overall, Spirit of St Louis is 5 for 7 for earnings of $370,550.

Spirit of St Louis is a full brother to past Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Bar of Gold. He races for Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb and Richard Schermerhorn.

Rain came down early on the card and Aqueduct announced the remaining turf races would be moved to the main track. The Ticonderoga was shortened from 1 1/16 miles to a mile on dirt. The main track was listed as fast and was sealed for the third race, the Maid in the Mist Stakes.

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