It is Mansa Musa’s Time to Shine in Franklin-Simpson

If there’s a horse prepared for a breakthrough efficiency within the $2 million Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G1T) at Kentucky Downs, it is Mansa Musa . Since arriving in the US, the Irish-bred colt has been a constant and typically unfortunate competitor for Corridor of Fame coach Invoice Mott.

With the additional furlong and a gaggle of pace horses breaking to his inside, Kentucky Down’s first-ever grade 1 contest might flip the tide for the plucky Mansa Musa. That wave might carry him straight to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash (G1T) if the racing gods bestow victory in his path.

Whereas one other turf stakes on the Sept. 7 card, the Ainsworth Turf Dash (G2T), is a Breeders’ Cup Problem Sequence occasion for the Turf Dash, the 6 1/2-furlong Franklin-Simpson Stakes, restricted to 3-year-olds, doesn’t grant the victor an all-fees-paid berth to the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup race. Nevertheless, Kentucky Downs administration has pledged to finance the entry charges for Championship Saturday ought to the winner of the Franklin-Simpson select to take part within the Breeders’ Cup.

If one throws out his uncharacteristic seventh-place end within the Aug. 11 Mahony Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, Mansa Musa has been the image of consistency, hitting the board in his 4 different U.S. begins. Stakes-placed in group 3 firm in his native Eire as a 2-year-old, the son of Ten Sovereigns  has been unable to put declare to stakes winner standing regardless of delivering creditable performances. The closing sprinter was simply crushed by Fandom  within the Palisades Stakes at Keeneland, a troubled third within the William Walker Stakes (crossing the fireplace in fourth however moved as much as third after being pressured to regular down the lane), and a second to the good Godolphin filly Star of Thriller  within the Fast Name Stakes (G3T) two begins again. He earned a career-high 106 Equibase Velocity Determine for his Fast Name exploits, the co-highest within the oversubscribed subject of 12.

Junior Alvarado, the one rider to pilot the Crew Valor and Gary Barber color-bearer stateside, has the decision from the 11 put up.

Mansa Musa is considered one of 4 horses exiting the Mahony Stakes. Christophe Clement-trained Apollo Ten , third within the Mahony, and Jose D’Angelo pupil Howard Wolowitz , fourth, each van into Kentucky Downs from Saratoga. Cheyenne Secure’s Apollo Ten hasn’t fairly ran the figures Mansa Musa has, however is a stakes winner nonetheless, capturing the 5 1/2-furlong My Frenchman Stakes at Monmouth Park July 14. The speedy Violence   colt, who went gate to wire within the My Frenchman, ought to face an early problem from Howard Wolowitz on the entrance finish.

Howard Wolowitz was an outstanding front-running victor in his maiden tally on the artificial observe at Gulfstream Park earlier than discovering himself too far behind early within the Mahony. Encountering visitors all through, the Munnings   colt checked in fourth however could possibly be far more harmful if he will get issues his personal method on the lead.

Kentucky Downs is infamous for its upset winners, and a number of reside longshots look to spoil the favorites on the observe’s largest day. Resolute Racing and Qatar Racing’s Evade , group 3-placed in France, makes his stateside debut for coach Mike Maker, and Ellis Park-based Joe Shiesty  wired the sector impressively throughout Kentucky Derby week within the Could 1 William Walker two begins again.