Morticia earns first graded win in Franklin County Stakes

LEXINGTON, Ky. – You might say G. Watts Humphrey Jr. and Rusty Arnold are enjoying the fall meet at Keeneland.

Following up on their victory last Sunday in the Grade 1 Spinster with Romantic Vision, the longtime owner-trainer team was back in the infield winner’s circle Friday after Morticia raced to victory in the 21st running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Franklin County Stakes.

“It’s been a good week,” Arnold said with a smile.

Always prominent under Jose Lezcano in the 5 1/2-furlong race, Morticia returned $7.60 as second choice in a field of 12 fillies and mares after finishing in 1:03.92 over firm going.

With 17,546 turning out on a beautiful afternoon, Kasuga seized command at once, with Lezcano maintaining a good position just to her outside flank for the run down the backstretch and through the turn. When it counted, Morticia gradually drew away, holding sway to prevail by a half-length over late-running Justa Lady, a 25-1 shot.

“She does what you ask her to do,” said Lezcano.

Lull, the 2-1 favorite, was another two lengths back when getting third by a nose over Kasuga. Miss Ella, the 2016 Franklin County winner and the 4-1 third choice Friday, was seventh following a poor start.

Making the victory all the more impressive was that Morticia raced without a right hind horseshoe. Attempts at replacing the shoe were made before the field left the walking ring for the racetrack, but time precluded it from happening.

“It was either run without it or scratch,” said Arnold. “That made me a little nervous, but she came through despite it. She’s been an awfully good filly for us.”

Morticia, a 3-year-old daughter of Twirling Candy, was bred in partnership by Humphrey and Arnold. She now has won of 6 of 9 career starts, with the Franklin County marking her first graded triumph after four of her wins came in ungraded stakes.

Arnold said there are no more suitable races for Morticia the rest of the year and the filly will resurface this winter in south Florida.

The $1 exacta (7-2) paid $61.40, the $1 trifecta (7-2-6) returned $218.10, and the 10-cent superfecta (7-2-6-4) was worth $94.55.

Racing continues Saturday at Keeneland with the last of six Grade 1 races of the 17-day fall meet, the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup. Another great day of weather is in the forecast.