Caravel Kicks Clear to Win Franklin

October 16, 2022


Mare is cataloged to Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale

LEXINGTON, Ky.  – Qatar Racing Limited, Marc Detampel and Madaket Stables’ Caravel surged past pacesetting Twilight Gleaming (IRE) passing the eighth pole and went on to post a 1¾-length victory in the 26th running of the $300,000 Franklin (G3) for fillies and mares Sunday afternoon.

Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Caravel covered the 5½ furlongs on a firm turf course in 1:02.59. It is the second victory in the race for Gaffalione, who guided Got Stormy to the win in the 2020 renewal.

Twilight Gleaming took the lead out of the gate and was hounded through fractions of :21.40 and :44.82 by Creative Credit to her inside while Caravel raced just behind the top two. At the head of the stretch, Gaffalione had Caravel in the three path with aim on the leaders, taking over after the eighth pole and securing enough of a cushion to hold off fast-closing Thundering Creed.

Caravel n the lead with Star Devine (#1 red cap) and Thundering Creed (#9 outside white cap) giving chase, Keeneland/Coady Photo

A 5-year-old Pennsylvania-bred daughter by Mizzen Mast out of the Congrats mare Zeezee Zoomzoom, Caravel notched her third Grade 3 victory and ninth stakes victory overall as she improved her record to 19-11-0-3. Sunday’s victory was worth $143,375 and increased Caravel’s earnings to $811,152.

Caravel is cataloged to Book 1 of Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale on Nov. 7. Hunter Valley Farm, agent, consigns the mare, who is Hip 224 amd cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect.

For winning the Franklin, Caravel returned $6.88, $4.14 and $3.46. Thundering Creed, ridden by Joe Rocco Jr., returned $11.36 and $6.40 and finished a nose ahead of Star Devine (IRE), who paid $5.04 to show under Adam Beschizza.

It was another length back to Twilight Gleaming, who was followed in order by Have A Good Day (IRE), Creative Credit, Brooke Marie, Tobys Heart, Querobin Dourada, Bout Time and Elle Z.

Racing resumes Wednesday with an eight-race program that begins at 1 p.m. ET.

Quotes from the $300,000 Franklin (G3)

Brad Cox (winning trainer of Caravel): “I did (think she was sitting on a big race today). I thought she ran really well at Presque Isle (when fourth in the Sept. 19 Presque Isle Downs Masters-G2 in her last start). Speed wasn’t good that night. She rebounded; she’s had two solid works since then here at Keeneland on the dirt and did very well, so I thought she was set up for a big effort. Tyler did a great job putting her in perfect position, and she really kicked home when asked. 

“(Whether we go to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint-G1) will ultimately be up to the owners (Qatar Racing, Marc Detampel and Madaket Stables), but we’ll talk to them about it. I do know she’s in the (Keeneland November Breeding Stock) sale, but there’s been some talk about possibly running her next year as well, so who knows? At the end of the day, I’m just proud of what she’s been able to accomplish, and congratulations to the ownership group. She’s a tough filly. She always brings it.”

Caravel with Tyler Gaffalione up wins the 2022 Franklin ST for trainer Brad Cox and owner Qatar Racing LTD (David Redvers), Photo by Keeneland/Coady Photography

Tyler Gaffalione (winning rider): “The mare ran a great race. She broke alertly today. I knew (jockey) Johnny (Velazquez’s) horse (Twilight Gleaming-IRE) was the one to beat, so I worked my way out to get behind her, and coming into the stretch, I attacked her as soon as I could. My horse was game, and she finished the job well.”

Joe Rocco Jr. (rider of runner-up Thundering Creed): “My filly ran great. She’s the kind of filly that if you use too much early she doesn’t finish that great. I wanted to get the best position that I could without using too much. I ended up being able to find my way down on the rail and save some ground. I would’ve liked to have been able to get her moving a little earlier than I did, but I had to wait until I could find some room and when I did she really came flying. I’m very proud of her.” 

John Velazquez (rider of second choice Twilight Gleaming-IRE, who finished fourth): “It was very predictable – a lot of speed in the race. I settled the best I could, but sometimes 5½ (furlongs) is a little too long for her. The last sixteenth of a mile got her. The fractions were fast – faster than I wanted them to be.”

Keeneland Press Release
Photo by Coady

For information on Past The Wire’s annual Breeders’ Cup Seminar, the very best in the game CLICK HERE

@Jonathanstettin Very well written article. The sport will be missed by many...The time is now

Kirkrobinson @OaklawnLover View testimonials

Facebook