Born in Italy and a former champion jockey in England, Frankie Dettori has never raced there Penn National Race Course by May 31. He made an incredible first impression by taking the $400,000 Penn Mile Stakes (G3T) and the $150,000 Penn Oaks, winning both races through through pictures ending with perfectly on-time trips.
At the Penn Mile, Dettori and his mount First World War Early earned sixth place among horses as upset winner of the American Turf Stakes (G2T) Trikari and Cutler Bay Stakes winner Set Fight through the fractions :23.09, :46.31 and 1:09.56.
Qatar Racing and Hunter Valley Farm’s WWI made six wide turns for home and gradually gained the lead. Amerman Racing’s Trikari won the speed duel, but Winchell Thoroughbreds’ aspenite Sneak inside him to challenge for victory.
World War I was briefly stranded in the left lead, but the 3-year-old was War front colt caught the leaders a stride before the wire and won a three-way head at the line. The photo shows that World War I was won by a spearhead over Aspenite. It was Trikari’s return to third place. The final time for the mile on hard turf was 1:33.50.
It was the second win for WWI trainee Brendan Walsh, who won the Kitten’s Joy Stakes (G3T) on February 3 at Gulfstream Park.
Bred in Kentucky by Skyfall Thoroughbreds, World War I was a $285,000 weanling purchase at Hunter Valley’s November 2021 Keeneland stud sale from the Denali Stud consignment. Consigned by Hunter Valley at the following year’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale, he was acquired for a final bid of $135,000.
World War I ranked 3rd Medaglia d’Oro mare Sunday beach .
Videotapes: Penn Mile S. (G3T)
Dettori, ‘Slim’ Victorious at Penn Oaks
A race earlier at Penn Oaks, 53-year-old Dettori and Poolside With Slim took the lead from post in a field of 10 3-year-old fillies, but ceded the lead to Resolute Racing’s Maul who placed the fractions :23,14, :47,21 and 1:10,44.
Dettori evaluates a 3-year-old child Churchill filly, cover along the rail just behind the leader, until the full distance is run.
Poolside With Slim, trained by George Arnold II, took the lead and just held on to a fast closing pace Beautiful as a cake to win by head. Mallet hold in third position another 2 3/4 lengths. The final time for the mile on hard court was 1:33.59.
Frankie Dettori takes the jump from Poolside With Slim after winning the Penn Oaks
Bred in Ireland by Kilweelran and owned by Glenn S. “Bo” Bromagen II, Sandra Bromagen and Patrick Lewis, Poolside With Slim was purchased by Bo Bromagen for $105,700 at the 2022 Goffs Orby Yearling Sale. The winner is out of the race Epaulette Kissepal mare (IRE).
Videotapes: Penn Oaks (BT)
