Joey Franco captures Ack Ack

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Joey Franco won his second stakes of the Hollywood Park spring-summer meeting in Saturday's $91,325 Ack Ack Handicap. Now, owner Jerry Frankel and trainer Darrell Vienna are hoping for a stakes hat trick in the $300,000 Triple Bend Breeders' Cup Handicap on July 5.

"It has to be in our sights," trainer Darrell Vienna said of the Grade 2 Triple Bend.

Joey Franco opened the current meeting with a victory in the Tiznow Stakes over 7 1-2 furlongs against California-breds on April 26. Racing over the same distance in the Ack Ack, Joey Franco rallied three-wide on the turn to win by a length over 8-1 Kela.

Ridden by Patrick Valenzuela, Joey Franco ($7.40) was timed in 1:27.15.

Publication closed from sixth to finish third, a neck in front of Crafty C.T., the 7-5 favorite. "He never did feel like a winner from the time the gate opened," said Gary Stevens, who rode Crafty C.T.

Cappuchino, Jimmy Z and Golden Hare completed the order of finish.

Corey Nakatani, who rode Kela, claimed foul against Joey Franco alleging interference on the turn, but the stewards did not rule in his favor.

Joey Franco has won 6 of 13 starts and $371,091. The Ack Ack Handicap was Joey Franco's third stakes win. Last fall, he won the restricted El Cajon Stakes at Del Mar, while being trained by David Hofmans.

Frankel transferred the 4-year-old Joey Franco to Vienna in March.

"I feel kind of lucky to be the recipient of the care he received," Vienna said.