Under the darkening Lexington sky, it is Caravel who brought thunder down on 10 opponents, including Twilight Sparkle to earn her career third-ranked bet win in Franklin Stakes (G3T) on October 16 at Keeneland.
The 5-year-old mare under the lead of Tyler Gaffalione broke out well and rose to third while Twilight Gleaming headed straight ahead at: 21.40. Creative credits strong, moving in second before taking the lead after half a mile at: 44.82. When the field reached the sixteenth pole in: 56.39, Creation Credit fell again and Star Devine move from Wednesday to Tuesday. Thundering Creed the last to arrive early, rallied down the lane while Twilight Gleaming faltered in the final match.
At the wire, it’s 2-1 Caravel favorites with the strongest bid, rally three widths to complete 1 3/4 length ahead of 19-1 Thundering Creed to win the 5 1/2 stretch on the track for sure in 1:02.59 . Star Devine came in third, with 5-2 second pick Twilight Gleaming in fourth.
Caravel marches forward to capture Franklin Stakes at Keeneland
Owned by Qatar Racing, Marc Detampel, and Madaket Stables and trained by Brad Cox, Caravel ($6.88) improved her record to 11-0-3 from 19 starts and increased earnings. her input to $811,152. She started for the first time since missing the mark in the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G3T) on September 19, where she finished fourth on the synthetic surface.
Twilight Gleaming looks hard to beat, she’s picked up two corporate wins from her last two matches. The 3-year-old coached by Wesley Ward also won the Breeders Cup Juniors ‘2021 (G2T) and was also runner-up in the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot last year.
Cox said he knew the race would require his horse but felt as though she was well prepared to enter.
“I was (thinking she was sitting in a big race). I think she ran really well on the Presque Isle,” Cox said. “The pace wasn’t good that night. She bounced back; she’s had two solid jobs since then at Keeneland on land and doing great, so I think she’s set for one. great effort. Tyler did a great job of putting her in the perfect spot, and she literally kicked home when asked.”
Cox said Mizzen Mast mares may point towards Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1T), but nothing is official.
“Ultimately it’s up to the owner,” Cox said, “but we’ll talk to them about that. “I know she’s selling (Keeneland November Breeding Stock), but there’s been some talk of maybe running her next year, so who knows? At the end of the day I’m just proud of what she can and congrats to the ownership team. She’s a tough guy. She always delivers.”
The gray or gray mare was purchased by Fergus Galvin, dealer, for $500,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale from ELiTE consignment. She was bred by Elizabeth Merryman of Pennsylvania from Congratulations’ mare Zeezee Zoomzoom, who had three winners from four ponies to race, including the multi-stakes winner. Witty . The dam also has a desire Great idea colt and drop a Street boss this year.
Video: Franklin S. (G3T)
