Sat: De FRANCIS MEMORIAL DASH 350K

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Jon
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Sat: De FRANCIS MEMORIAL DASH 350K Sept 18, 2013 22:04:50 GMT -5

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Post by Jon on Sept 18, 2013 22:04:50 GMT -5

$350,000 Guaranteed (Was A G2)
THE FRANK J. De FRANCIS MEMORIAL DASH
Open - Three Year Olds and Upward
6 Furlongs (Dirt)

Nine Sprinters Entered In Saturday's De Francis Dash
LAUREL, MD. 09-18-13---Nine sprinters have been entered in Saturday’s 22nd running of the $350,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel Park, including local star Ben’s Cat. Post time for the 11-race card will be 1:10 p.m. Eastern.

Introduced in 1990, the De Francis Dash is one of the elite six-furlong sprints in the country with four of the 21 winners-Housebuster (1991), Cherokee Run (1994), Smoke Glacken (1997) and Thor’s Echo (2006)-earning Eclipse Award honors for champion sprinter.

The Fall Festival of Racing card also features five open stakes races on the turf: the Laurel Futurity for 2-year-olds, the Selima Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, the six-furlong Laurel Dash, the Lady Baltimore Stakes for fillies and mares, the 1-1/2 mile Laurel Turf Cup plus the Jameela Stakes for Maryland-breds.

Owner-trainer King Leatherbury cross-entered Ben’s Cat, one of the top turf sprinters in the country, into the De Francis Dash and the $100,000 Laurel Dash, a race he won two years ago. The 7-year-old is 8-of-12 on the dirt, including three stakes scores, though 13 of his last 14 starts have been on the grass. The son of Parker’s Storm Cat has 14 turf stakes wins on his resume.

“This has been on our radar since last year when the winner didn’t run any faster than Ben’s Cat has on the dirt,” Leatherbury said. “Once we found out it was a full field on the turf, we decided to cross-enter and will handicap the De Francis and have a choice. There doesn’t appear to be any super horses in the race. Early in his career he ran some big races on the dirt but we decided to keep him on the turf and dodge some of the really top horses on the main track. We can make more money by finishing second in the De Francis than winning the other one, which is a good situation to be in. It will be fun to handicap and see where we end up running.”

Maryland Jockey Club handicapper Keith Feustle has made Ben’s Cat, the 9-2 second choice on the morning line.

Sage Valley is the 9-5 morning line favorite. The son of Discreet Cat has a pair of graded victories this year, visiting the winners’ circle in the Maryland Sprint Handicap at Pimlico in May and the James Marvin at Saratoga in July. In his last start, the Rudy Rodriguez trainee was fifth in the Forego (G1).

“We are bringing him back a little quickly but he seemed to come out of that race pretty good,” Rodriguez said. “I think he should be close to the lead and if he doesn’t break well we will be close. It would be nice if he could run as big as he did on Preakness day. He is a very nice looking, well-bred horse. We are having fun with him and hope that continues.”

Cornelio Velasquez will ride Sage Valley.

Saturday’s Charm (5-1) has had a consistent 4-year-old campaign for Steve Asmussen with five in the money finishes in seven starts, including a third place finish in the Tom Fool (G3). Rosie Napravnik, who has four career riding titles at Laurel in her career, has the call.

Brigand (6-1) won the City of Laurel Stakes here last December and crossed the finish line second in the General George Handicap (G3) two months later but was placed fifth after bumping another runner early in the race. Since then, the Bob Baffert trainee has been off the board in a pair of starts. Martin Garcia, who teamed up with Baffert to win the 2010 Preakness Stakes (G1) on Lookin At Lucky, has the riding assignment

Il Villano (6-1) lost last year’s De Francis Dash by a nose to Action Andy but came back to win the Dave’s Friend Stakes two months later. The 4-year-old son of Pollard’s Vision has been out of the money just twice in 12 starts. The Susan Crowell trainee has been off since a second place finish in the General George (G2).

Immortal Eyes (8-1) finished a 1-1/2 lengths behind Action Andy and Il Villano in last year’s De Francis Dash despite nearly going down to his knees leaving the starting gate. It was the second close call in the De Francis for the son of Greatness who finished second in the 2011 running. Trainer Damon Dilodovico has run the 8-year-old eight times this year with four victories, including two stakes scores at Monmouth Park over the summer. Travis Dunkelberger is his regular rider.

“We are hoping we can get it done for Mr. Abbo (owner Robert Abbo) and Immortal Eyes,” Dilodovico said. “Personally I thought he was much the best last year. He broke poorly and ran a huge race. We were disappointed to finish third but the effort was top-notch. He is an exceptional athlete. He just loves Monmouth. Even in the race he lost last out (Icecapade Stakes), he set some monster fractions and got beat by a horse on a seven race winning streak. We love the outside post. He is more versatile than it looks on paper. We could be forwardly placed or sit back.”

Dilodovico will also saddle Service for Ten (10-1). The gelding has finished in the money seven times in eight starts since being claimed by owner Mark Lapidus nearly two years ago, with five trips to the winners’ circle. Daniel Centeno, who was aboard for a victory in the Vincent Moscarelli Stakes at Delaware Park in his last start, will ride.

Mark spotted this horse,” added Dilodovico. “I was kind of wishy-washy with the claim but he really wanted him and deserves much of the credit for the success he has had since coming into the barn.”

Broad Rule (20-1), who finished fifth in the 2012 De Francis Dash, has 11 in the money finishes in 16 starts on his home track, including a victory in the Fire Plug Stakes and a third in the General George Handicap (G3) earlier this year.

Royal Currier (30-1) was ninth in last year’s race. The 5-year-old son of Preakness winner Red Bullet is 0-for-3 this year.

$350,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (10th Race)

PP Horse Jockey Trainer Odds Lifetime Stats
1 Saturday’s Charm Rosie Napravnik Steve Asmussen 5-1 13-3-3-3, $207,850
2 Brigand Martin Garcia Bob Baffert 6-1 16-5-5-0, $353,820
3 Service for Ten Daniel Centeno Damon Dilodovico 10-1 10-6-1-2, $152,510
4 Royal Currier Angel Serpa Joseph Mazza 30-1 32-12-8-3, $722,550
5 Ben’s Cat Julian Pimentel King Leatherbury 9-2 34-22-3-3, $1,635,640
6 Sage Valley Cornelio Velasquez Rudy Rodriguez 9-5 11-6-0-3, $330,200
7 Il Villano Julian Pimentel Susan Crowell 6-1 14-5-5-2, $559,620
8 Immortal Eyes Travis Dunkelberger Damon Dilodovico 8-1 46-16-13-4, $880,051
9 Broad Rule Forest Boyce Dickie Small 20-1 22-6-7-7, $319,215

Jon
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Sat: De FRANCIS MEMORIAL DASH 350K Sept 18, 2013 22:08:54 GMT -5

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Post by Jon on Sept 18, 2013 22:08:54 GMT -5

A favorite to watch

Ben's Cat Intriguing Entry in De Francis Dash
Bloodhorse

Nine sprinters, including local star Ben's Cat, have been entered in Laurel Park's 22nd running of the $350,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes Sept. 21.

The De Francis Dash is scheduled as race 10 on Laurel's Fall Festival of Racing card and will be run at approximately 5:53 p.m. EDT.

Owner and trainer King Leatherbury cross-entered The Jim Stable's Ben's Cat, one of the top turf sprinters in the country, in the De Francis Dash and the $100,000 Laurel Dash Stakes, a race he won two years ago. The 7-year-old has won eight of his 12 starts on the dirt, including three stakes scores, though 13 of his last 14 starts have been over the lawn. The son of Parker's Storm Cat has 14 turf stakes wins on his résumé.

"This has been on our radar since last year when the winner didn't run any faster than Ben's Cat has on the dirt," Leatherbury said. "Once we found out it was a full field on the turf, we decided to cross-enter and will handicap the De Francis and have a choice.

"There doesn't appear to be any super horse in the race. Early in his career he ran some big races on the dirt but we decided to keep him on the turf and dodge some of the really top horses on the main track," Leatherbury said. "We can make more money by finishing second in the De Francis than winning the other one, which is a good situation to be in. It will be fun to handicap and see where we end up running."

The 9-2 second choice on the morning line, Ben's Cat will break from post 5.

Sage Valley, a 4-year-old son of Discreet Cat owned by Michael Dubb, is the 9-5 morning line favorite and counts a pair of graded victories to his credit this year, visiting the winners' circle in the May 18 Maryland Sprint Handicap (gr. III) at Pimlico Race Course on the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) card and the July 19 James Marvin Stakes (gr. III) at Saratoga Race Course. In his last start, the Rudy Rodriguez trainee was fifth in Saratoga's Forego Stakes (gr. I).

"We are bringing him back a little quickly but he seemed to come out of that race pretty good," Rodriguez said. "I think he should be close to the lead and if he doesn't break well we will be close. It would be nice if he could run as big as he did on Preakness day. He is a very nice-looking, well-bred horse. We are having fun with him and hope that continues."

Cornelio Velasquez will ride Sage Valley from the six hole.

Saturday's Charm has had a consistent 4-year-old campaign for owner Mike McCarty with five in-the-money finishes in seven starts, including a third place finish in the Tom Fool Handicap (gr. III). Rosie Napravnik, who has four career riding titles at Laurel in her career, has the call on 5-1 Saturday's Charm.

Brigand won Laurel Park's Dec. 8 City of Laurel Stakes and crossed the finish line second in the General George Handicap (gr. III) two months later but was placed fifth after bumping another runner early in the race. Since then, the Bob Baffert trainee has been off the board in a pair of starts. Brigand goes out from post 2 at 6-1 on the morning line with Martin Garcia in the irons.

Il Villano lost last year's De Francis Dash by a nose to Action Andy but came back to win the Dec. 29 Dave's Friend Stakes. Out of the money just twice in 14 starts, the De Francis Dash is the 4-year-old Pollard's Vision colt's first start in seven months since his runner-up effort in the General George Handicap (gr. III). Trained by Susan Crowell for Chuck Russo, 6-1 Il Villano will break from post 6.

Immortal Eyes, 8-1, finished 1 1/2 lengths behind Action Andy and Il Villano in last year's De Francis Dash despite nearly going to his knees leaving the starting gate. It was the second close call in the De Francis for the 8-year-old son of Greatness who finished second in the 2011 Dash.

In his eight starts this year for trainer Damon Dilodovico, the seasoned sprinter has amassed four wins including scores in the July 28 Teddy Drone Stakes and the July 7 Mr. Propspector Stakes, both at Monmouth Park. Regular rider Travis Dunkelberger is back in the saddle on 8-1 Immortal Eyes, who drew post 8.

"We are hoping we can get it done for Mr. Abbo (owner Robert Abbo) and Immortal Eyes," Dilodovico said. "Personally I thought he was much the best last year. He broke poorly and ran a huge race. We were disappointed to finish third, but the effort was top-notch.

"He is an exceptional athlete... We love the outside post. He is more versatile than it looks on paper. We could be forwardly-placed or sit back."

Dilodovico will also saddle 10-1 shot Service for Ten. The Service Stripe gelding has finished in-the-money seven times in eight starts since being claimed by owner Mark Lapidus nearly two years ago, with five trips to the winners' circle. Daniel Centeno, who was aboard for a victory in the Aug. 10 Vincent Moscarelli Stakes at Delaware Park in his last start, will ride as the pair breaks from the 3 hole.

"Mark spotted this horse," Dilodovico said. "I was kind of wishy-washy with the claim, but he really wanted him and deserves much of the credit for the success he has had since coming into the barn."

Broad Rule, fifth in the 2012 De Francis Dash, has 11 in-the-money finishes in 16 starts at Laurel, his home track, including a victory in the Jan. 21 Fire Plug Stakes and a third in the General George. Richard Small-trained Broad Rule goes out at 20-1 on the morning line the outside post with Forest Boyce up.

Royal Currier looks to improve on his off-the-board finish in last year's De Francis Dash. The 5-year-old Red Bullet gelding has eight stakes wins under his girth but has yet to score this year in his three previous starts for trainer Joseph Mazza. Breaking from post 4, 30-1 Royal Currier will be ridden by Angel Serpa.

Evelyn
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Sat: De FRANCIS MEMORIAL DASH 350K Sept 19, 2013 21:08:11 GMT -5

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Post by Evelyn on Sept 19, 2013 21:08:11 GMT -5

I really want Ben to win, whichever race he's in!

Laurel Park: Ben's Cat likely to switch to dirt in De Francis Dash
By Marcus Hersh
DRF

That Ben’s Cat is one of the best grass sprinters on the East Coast, if not the country, is a fact widely known. Less well known is that in 12 dirt starts, Ben’s Cat has eight wins, a second, and a third. Trainer King Leatherbury is giving serious consideration to making use of that surface versatility Saturday at Laurel Park and trying Ben’s Cat in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at six furlongs on dirt rather than the Laurel Dash at six furlongs on turf. In the Laurel Dash, Ben’s Cat would be a defined favorite; in the De Francis, he would be just one of the favorites. But the turf race is worth $100,000, the De Francis $350,000. Mr. Leatherbury has a firm grasp of arithmetic.

“I’m 80 percent sure I’ll be in the big race,” Leatherbury said Thursday. “Second-money in the dirt race is more than I’d get for winning the turf.”

Ben’s Cat is one of nine entrants in the De Francis, one of seven stakes on what should be an entertaining Laurel card, with first post scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Eastern. The race’s purse is top class, but the De Francis still has not regained graded status after not being run in 2008 and 2010; the Grade 1 Vosburgh Stakes next weekend in New York draws the cream of the division.

An absence of standout performers is a main selling point for Leatherbury, who has managed his 7-year-old minor star to 22 wins from 34 races and more than $1.6 million in purses. Ben’s Cat, Leatherbury said, might have been just shy of full fitness when he finished a fast-closing second in the Turf Monster Handicap on Sept. 2 at Parx Racing. In his most recent dirt start, last fall at Penn National, he won the $200,000 Fabulous Strike by a head.

Even with Ben’s Cat in the mix, Sage Valley might be the De Francis favorite. Sage Valley has two Grade 3 sprint wins this year, including the Maryland Sprint at Pimlico, and exits the Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga, where he finished an even fifth of nine. Sage Valley’s performance last out, perhaps affected by mud, was just ho-hum, but he remains a decent bounce-back candidate in just his fifth start of the season.

Trainer Damon Dilodovico has two De Francis entrants: Immortal Eyes – barely beaten by Ben’s Cat in the Fabulous Strike last fall – will be part of the pace from his outside draw, while Service for Ten figures to rally from midpack. Service for Ten has some appeal as a 4-year-old with 6 wins from 10 starts, including a 5-for-9 Laurel record. He was a sharp winner Aug. 10 at Delaware Park in his first race since February – so sharp that Dilodovico fears regression Saturday.

“With a layoff and a big effort you always worry about a little bounce factor, but it has been six weeks between starts,” he said.

Brigand and Il Villano, along with Immortal Eyes, should race among the lead group. Rail-drawn Saturday’s Charm, in for trainer Steve Asmussen, also cannot be counted out.