Franklin County draws cream of the female turf sprint division
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Filly and mare turf sprinters comprise such a narrow niche that no Breeders’ Cup event has been created for them (yet, anyway). Lacking such opportunity, it looks like the absolute best of this specialized division – with barely any exceptions – will be on hand Friday at Keeneland for the Grade 3, $150,000 Franklin County Stakes.
Morticia, an earner of $989,669, could be making her final career start as part of an oversubscribed field in the 23rd Franklin County. In all, 16 were entered, but only as many as 14 can start in the 5 1/2-furlong race.
“I understand we could run back in the Breeders’ Cup [Turf Sprint], but we’ll have to see how she does Friday,” trainer Rusty Arnold said.
Girls Know Best, a sharp recent comeback winner for Eddie Kenneally, and Hotshot Anna, a last-out winner of the Grade 2 Presque Isle Masters, also are entered, as well as Violent Times, Oleksandra, Rocky Policy, Goldwood, and A Little Bit Me.
The Franklin County is the ninth of 10 Friday races and is part of a late pick four with a $200,000 pool guarantee.
‘Bookend’ winners look ahead
A pair of good-looking 2-year-old fillies who bookended the Saturday card by winning six-furlong maiden races could meet up in the $125,000 Rags to Riches on Oct. 27, opening day of the Churchill Downs fall meet.
Specially, a Tapiture filly making her first start, won the Saturday opener for Mark Casse, earning an 81 Beyer Speed Figure, while Motu, by Paynter, got a 77 Beyer when dominating the finale in her second start for Kenny McPeek.
“She might be a top horse,” McPeek said of Motu. “She definitely wants more ground.”
Both the Rags to Riches and its colt-and-gelding counterpart, the $125,000 Street Sense, are run at a one-turn mile. Among the early prospects being mentioned for the Street Sense is Ajaaweed, who was a creditable fourth behind Maxfield when making his second career start Saturday in the Breeders’ Futurity.
◗ Two perfect tickets worth $39,758.70 apiece were sold on the $1 pick six here Sunday after the pool carried over the first two days.
Unlike at some other tracks, consolation payoffs are made on all pick six and pick five wagers at Keeneland, whether or not perfect tickets are sold.
