Woodbine Mohawk Park: Francent N wouldn't be denied in Milton Stakes final

In perhaps one of the greatest performances by a pacing mare, Francent N and driver Louis Roy set a stakes and Canadian record in bravely capturing the $255,000 Grade 2 Milton Stakes at Woodbine Mohawk Park Saturday night in a 1:47 3/5 clocking. The imported daughter of Vincent withstood a bold bid by Louies Girl N just past the halfway mark and prevailed with a 26 2/5 final quarter.

Twin B Joe Fresh, looking for her third consecutive Milton victory, blasted from post nine for driver Dexter Dunn but needed most of the :25 2/5 first quarter to gain command. Unreasonable, with Todd McCarthy, left with authority from the pole position and forced Grit

And Grace to tuck first before yielding the top. Roy had Francent N on the move quickly onto the backstretch and gained control three-eighths into the race, reaching the half in 53 3/5.

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With Roy trying to rate the 1-5 favorite Francent N, Jason Bartlett put Louies Girl N on the move, and she kicked into high gear quickly, clearly catching the pacesetter off guard. Louies Girl N put three-quarters of a length in front as the field hit three-quarters in 1:21 1/5, with Twin B Joe Fresh vacating the pylons, believing Francent N was about to concede the race.

Roy got Francent N's attention in short order, and the mare picked up the bit, then showed her power and determination, recapturing the lead before eventually drawing off from Louies Girl N to win by three-quarters of a length. Louies Girl N lost the battle for the top spot but held her ground through the stretch to finish second. Unreasonable, the early leader, rallied late for third with Twin B Joe Fresh fourth.

Owned by Sylvain Descheneaux's Ecurie CSL, Francent N won for the 17th time in her career and seventh time in 2026. Trained by Jacques Dupont, the mare returned $2.40 to win.

"I thought we were going to finish second," said Descheneaux in the winner's circle, reacting to his feelings at the three-quarter pole. As for the next steps for a mare that was supplemented to this race and is ineligible to the Breeders Crown. "If she’s healthy a few weeks before we'll be there."

A top mare in the Southern Hemisphere before her arrival in North America, Francent N was likely an expensive purchase. "It's not you who decides the price," said Descheneaux when asked.