Legends of War wires field in Franklin-Simpson Stakes

Early speed dominated during much of the five-day Runhappy meet at Kentucky Downs, so it was only fitting that Legends of War was a gate-to-wire winner Thursday in the $497,500 Franklin-Simpson, the closing-day co-feature and the last of 14 stakes at the turf-only track in south-central Kentucky.

Gunned to the front by Rafael Bejarano, Legends of War led a one-two sweep by trainer Doug O’Neill when coasting home by 1 3/4 lengths over his stablemate, Stubbins. The winner paid $49.40 after finishing 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.83 over a firm course.

A full gate of 12 3-year-olds started in the Franklin-Simpson, but only one of them ever led. After straightening down the long stretch, Legends of War opened an insurmountable advantage as Stubbins (10-1) emerged from a pack of pursuers to be another two lengths ahead of Uncapped, an 85-1 shot who edged favored Archidust for third.

“All day speed was holding, so I said, ‘I’m going to put him in the race,’” said Bejarano, a former Kentucky mainstay who was the leading Kentucky Downs jockey in 2004. “I just tried to wait a little bit to make sure we can finish. So I waited, and then I just let him go. He took off. This horse was definitely ready today.”

Legends of War, a bay colt by the late Scat Daddy, had been trained at 2 in England by John Gosden before being sent to O’Neill. His first victory in five U.S. starts came in his previous race, a five-furlong allowance over the Del Mar turf. He now has earned $470,740 for ownership partners CTR Stables, Qatar Racing, and Steven Keh.

“He beat older horses at Del Mar, so I thought something like this might be coming,” said O’Neill. “Raffy rode him with so much confidence.”

The all-O’Neill exacta (5-10) paid $436 for $2. With longshots in the top three spots, the trifecta (5-10-16) paid $2,341.35 for 50 cents, and the superfecta (5-10-16-1) returned $9,570.90 for a dime.

Gentle Ruler wins Ramsey Farm

Under a patient ride from Chris Landeros, Gentle Ruler ran her 2019 record to 5 for 6 when reeling in 69-1 shot in the final yards of the $469,000 Ramsey Farm.

Trained by Landeros’ father-in-law, Ian Wilkes, Gentle Ruler raced in midpack for much of her trip before rallying between rivals to be along in time. It was her third stakes of the year, a record made all the more impressive by the fact she went winless at 2 and 3 in a combined 11 starts.

“It was a gritty race,” said Wilkes, attributing the filly’s marked improvement primarily to maturity. “I thought she overcame some adversity at the top of the stretch and came through with flying colors.”

“She’s the type of filly who’s always going to give you 100 percent,” said Landeros.

Gentle Ruler, a Kentucky-bred 4-year-old by Colonel John, now has earned $643,453 for her owner, the Morsches Stable. She returned $6.20 as favorite in a field of 11 fillies and mares after finishing the once-around distance of 1 5/16 miles in 2:12.73.

Lantiz finished a half-length behind the winner and another three-quarters of a length ahead of Gaining, who had a troubled trip as the 2-1 second choice.

Ortiz wins riding title

Jose Ortiz earned his second straight Kentucky Downs riding title with 10 winners and a track-record $2.05 million in mount earnings despite missing the first day of the meet. Based in New York, Ortiz was the leading jockey at Saratoga this summer and intends to ride for much of the Keeneland fall meet in October.

The Ramsey Farm result allowed Wilkes to tie for leading trainer with Wesley Ward and Joe Sharp (four wins apiece).

Track officials reported all-sources handle for the five days at more than $41 million, easily surpassing the record of $36.4 million set during the five-day 2018 meet. Purse payouts were not immediately available but were projected to far exceed the $10.2 million paid to horsemen last year.

► Riding for the first time in his career at Kentucky Downs, Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano wasted little time finding the winner’s circle when Applicator ($8.20) rallied to win the Thursday opener.

Castellano, a four-time Eclipse Award winner, had five mounts on the program. He also won the sixth race on Gemonteer ($19.80) and had two seconds.