At Kentucky Downs, outdoors Franklin in Kentucky, it was Howard Welowitz and Irad Ortiz Jr who took out the Franklin-Simpson Stakes, the tracks first Grade 1 occasion.
In gaining the lead within the dwelling straight, it was Irad Oritz who rallied Howard Welowitz when headed by Yellow Card, and in gaining the lead once more on the 100yds, went on to win by a size.
With no race time recorded for the 6½ furlongs on thick turf for 3yo’s, he survived a protest by second positioned Yellow Card jockey John Velaquez for interference by the winner within the ‘lengthy’ straight.
With homeowners Gold Sq. receiving $1.17m in stakes, together with $1m from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Growth Fund, it was the primary Grade 1 success for younger coach Jose D’Angelo.
Actually with the Franklin-Simpson Stakes not being a Breeders’ Cup Problem Sequence ‘Win & You’re In’ occasion, its Kentucky Downs who will finance entry into Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash at Del Mar.
Being Howard Welowitz’s second race win in simply 4 begins this yr, having been unraced at two, he was a $240,000 yearling on the 2022 Keeneland January Sale, and is sired by Munnings.
“Delighted as getting a Grade 1 Stakes, it’s concerning the ascent of our racing program, with the Franklin-Simpson an thrilling outcome,” stated Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs Vice President for Racing.
“The Franklin-Simpson and Music Metropolis are amongst 11 Kentucky Downs stakes with a handbag of no less than $1 million in 2023, together with cash from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Growth Fund.”
“Even with out the supplemental cash for registered Kentucky-breds, the Franklin-Simpson Stakes and Music Metropolis’s $600,000 base purses are probably the most profitable in America for his or her division.”
And with Howard Welowitz’s half-brother by Instagrand promoting on the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, it’s the Turf Dash winner Cogburn’s half-brother by Not This Time who sells on Day 1.
In scoring a 3 ¼ size victory over British customer Khaadam, ridden by Jamie Spencer for Charlie Hills, within the Turf Dash Stakes of 6 furlongs run in 1m-7.68, it was Jose Ortiz on Axthelm In third.
In profitable all three begins this yr as a 5yo, Cogburn is coming off a Grade 1 victory within the Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga and earlier the Churchill Downs Turf Dash for coach Steve Asmussen.
Now the winner of 9 of his 15 begins and $2.4m, he was first traded as a $52,000 Keeneland November weanling, then a $310,00 Fasig-Tipton Choose Yearling after which a $150,000 Ocala 2YO.
With Cogburn gaining a ‘Win & You’re In’ for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash at Del Mar on 2 November, it’s the Turf Cup Stakes winner Grand Sonata who’s ‘Win & You’re In’ for the BC Turf.
In scoring his first win in over a yr, the Todd Pletcher educated and Tayler Gaffalione ridden Grand Sonata scored a half-length victory within the Turf Cup Stakes of 1½ miles, profitable in 2-24.9
In defeating Freeway Robber, Jareth Loveberry, and a size to Tawney Port in third, he shall be assembly the would possibly of Europe at Del Mar, headed by the Epsom Derby winner Metropolis of Troy.
A $125,000 purchase on the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, he’s by the extremely revered Medagia d’Oro, from the household of Indiana Derby winner Wilburn, Beethoven, La Appassionata.
“With our first Grade 1 and with 4 Grade 2 races in our 9 graded stakes, we’ve develop into entrenched within the nationwide dialog,” stated Ron Winchell, half proprietor of Kentucky Downs.
“Our aim now’s to make Kentucky Downs a global vacation spot, in working laborious to proceed the upward as we would like the Franklin-Simpson to be our first – however not solely – Grade 1.”
*Current prospects solely. 2nd Racing guess. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Chances are high you are about to lose.
Set a deposit restrict.
