Grupo 7C Racing Stable's Speed Franco (Declaration of War) showcased his ample speed in taking the Pulpit S. Saturday at Gulfstream Park to be named the newest 'TDN Rising Star'. The $170,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase crossed the wire first in his unveiling here Sept. 23, but was disqualified to second for veering out in the stretch.
The 13-1 longshot stuck to the rail and got in front heading into the first turn through a :23.93 opening quarter. The bay slowed the pace down from there, clocking the half in :50.06 alone on the lead heading into the far turn. Once Speed Franco felt the whip from Emisael Jaramillo, he took off inside the quarter pole and never looked back for an impressive six-length victory.
“First time out he won [and] was disqualified. But, we knew the talent was there, so we took the shot and entered him in this race,” said Gustavo Delgado Jr., his father's assistant trainer. “Everything turned out in our favor today. You don't see this too much, where the horse takes the lead on the grass and keeps going. We're just very pleased, he's a nice horse.”
This is the third stakes winner for Speed Franco's freshman sire (by War Front). He is the first foal out of Nabat Seif, an unplaced daughter of French MG1SW Sierra Madre (Fr). Nabat Seif is also a half to 1998's European champion colt Aljabr (Storm Cat).
PULPIT S., $75,000, GP, 12-9, 2yo, 1mT, 1:42.29, gd.
1–SPEED FRANCO, 116, c, 2, by Declaration of War
1st Dam: Nabat Seif, by Street Sense
2nd Dam: Sierra Madre (Fr), by Baillamont
3rd Dam: Marie d'Irlande (Fr), by Kalamoun (GB)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN.($170,000 Ylg '16 KEESEP) O-Grupo 7C
Racing Stable; B-Ice Wine Stables (KY); T-Gustavo Delgado;
J-Emisael Jaramillo. $43,710. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0,
$52,310. *3rd black-type winner for freshman sire (by War
Front)
2–Pony Up, 116, c, 2, Aikenite–A. P. Petal, by A.P. Indy.
O/B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $14,100.
3–Maraud, 116, c, 2, Blame–Unbridled Empire, by Empire
Maker. ($100,000 Ylg '16 KEESEP; $375,000 2yo '17 EASMAY).
O-Treadway Racing Stable; B-John R. & Frank Penn (KY);
T-Todd A. Pletcher. $7,050.
Margins: 6, 2HF, NK. Odds: 13.20, 5.80, 0.90.
Also Ran: King Angelus, Nauti Buoy, Pont Du Gard, Street Copper, Cometin, Stolen Pistol, Seattle Treasure, Bantu. Scratched: Aristteles, Felix in Fabula. Click for the Equibase.com chart, free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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