Yates testing Frankie's Empire, Fiona's Magic in graded stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Michael Yates will learn more about his improving 3-year-old Frankie’s Empire and his 3-year-old filly Fiona’s Magic when they run in graded stakes Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Frankie’s Empire, who won the seven-furlong Swale Stakes in his first start for Yates, will take on Dornoch and Locked in the Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes while Fiona’s Magic, runner-up in the Grade 3 Forward Gal, takes on last year’s 2-year-old filly champion Just F Y I in the Grade 2, $200,000 Davona Dale.

Frankie’s Empire will be trying 1 1/16 miles for the first time in the Fountain of Youth, a race that offers 105 qualifying points to its top five finishers (50-25-15-10-5) toward the May 4 Kentucky Derby. Frankie’s Empire, a son of Classic Empire, finished a well-beaten third in last year’s Sapling at Monmouth Park – eight lengths behind runner-up Dornoch – and was beaten 15 1/4 lengths in the Rocky Run Stakes going a two-turn mile in the slop at Delaware Park last fall. He was then trained by Susan Crowell.

“He’s a much fitter, much more experienced horse now,” said Yates, who was watching 2-year-olds train in Ocala on Wednesday. “I think his pedigree says distance is not an issue. The way he trains shows me distance is not an issue. Just a matter if he’s good enough or not.”

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Fiona’s Magic, a daughter of St Patrick’s Day, has gradually stretched out in distance. She won a maiden race at six furlongs last November and a first-level allowance going 6 1/2 furlongs in December before finishing second, beaten two lengths by R Harper Rose, in the seven-furlong Forward Gal. The Davona Dale offers its top five finishers qualifying points to the May 3 Kentucky Oaks.

“She didn’t break all that well. She kind of hopped away from the gate and being on the inside [jockey Tyler Gaffalione] had to rush her a little bit to get her engaged in the race,” Yates said of the Forward Gal. “Given that fact, with the speed horse outside of her, I thought she gave it a really gallant effort.”

Asked about the mile for Fiona’s Magic, Yates said, “I think she’ll stretch to a mile at this point.”

In addition to facing Just F Y I, Fiona’s Magic will be taking on Leslie’s Rose and Into Champagne, both of whom have won their first two starts.

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