All eyes will be on the local debut of Speed Franco in the 4:25 p.m. featured September Remember Handicap for the top-class horses at the Garrison Savannah today.
This five-year-old bay gelding, who is the property of Melrose Racing, was acquired earlier this year with the Gold Cup as his marquee target. The son of Declaration of War out of the mare Nabat Seif is trained by Robert Peirce and has won four of his 19 starts, predominantly at Gulfstream Park.
Speed Franco, who will be ridden by Rasheed Hughes, had his maiden win in the one mile $75 000 Pulpit Stakes in 2017 before returning to capture the Grade 3 Dania Beach Stakes in Hallandale, Florida. One month later in March, Speed Franco secured a pair of runners-up efforts in the Palm Beach Stakes and the Cutler Bay Stakes.
He then went winless for his next eight appearances before having consecutive Claiming wins, with the last coming at the now closed Gulfstream Park West (formerly Calder Race Course). Before being sold, he finished third after setting the pace in a Claiming one mile and one-sixteenth event won by Saffie Joseph Jr trained Keep Quiet. (LY)
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