Behind Enemy Lines takes the Cutler Bay in his stateside debut April 1 at Gulfstream Park (Coglianese Photo)
By Mike Kane
FRANKLIN, Ky. — It is no surprise that Behind Enemy Lines is in the $1 million Exacta Systems Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G2) Saturday at Kentucky Downs.
“This has always been a race on the calendar for him,” trainer Jack Sisterson said.
The Franklin-Simpson is for 3-year-olds going 6 ½ furlongs. Behind Enemy Lines was imported from Europe at the start of this year and promptly won the Cutler Bay over 7 ½ furlongs at Gulfstream Park on the Florida Derby program on April 1. He was stretched out to a mile or more in his three races since.
“The ownership group put him in the Cutler Bay and we kind of looked for a future plan with him,” Sisterson said. “We thought we’d try him in the ones we’ve tried him in, but sort of the end-of-the-summer goal will be the Franklin-Simpson just strictly because of the cutback in distance. He acts like a horse that a mile will be tops and he’s not really quite seen the mile trip at the moment.”
In his most recent start, he was fifth, beaten 5 ½ lengths in the Hall of Fame Stakes (G2) on Aug. 11 at Saratoga.
“I thought he traveled really well in the Hall of Fame,” Sisterson said. “Didn’t get a great trip up the rail but kind of flattened out a bit. I think this is going to be his ideal trip.
The whole barn, the whole ownership group are really looking forward to watching him perform at this distance.”
Behind Enemy Lines is owned by Talla Racing, Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen.
