Francatelli Makes it Three Straight in King Corrie

TORONTO, ON – Trainer Cathal Lynch’s Francatelli made it three straight victories when he took the field gate to wire in Saturday’s $100,000 King Corrie Stakes at Woodbine.

Francatelli, the 7/5 favorite as he broke from post 5 under Justin Stein, went straight to the lead out of the gate and posted an opening 1/4-mile in :21.54 while Lontano and Forester’s Turn gave closest watch.

Still on top at the top of the stretch, Francatelli pulled away entirely under his own power, never requiring Stein to ask the question.

Galloping home under a hand ride, the bettors’ choice crossed 4 1/4 lengths clearly the best in the 5-furlong firm inner turf sprint. His final time of :55.46 tied the record that Spanish Ballerina set earlier this year on July 30. 

“He’s amazing,” Stein said. “We left the gate, he got his stride right away, and he was cruising. I knew we were covering ground pretty quick, but he was doing it easy, just like a fast gallop”

Lontano and Forester’s Turn remained in second and third, respectively, throughout the running. Cajun Casanova edged Duke of Carthania by a nose for fourth.

See Forever and a distanced Aye Aye Sir completed the order of finish.

Francatelli’s victory followed a maiden-breaking victory over the Monmouth Park lawn in July and an off-turf fast dirt romp by over 9 lengths at Laurel Park a month later. The 3-year-old City Zip gelding improved his overall record to 5-3-1-0 with $107,209 earned for co-owners Lynch and Maribeth Sandford.

“He’s got a big stride and he’s really athletic,” Stein said. “He’s huge; I couldn’t believe the speed he could show going 5/8 (of a mile). He’s strong and just way faster than the rest of them.”

Francatelli returned $4.90 to win, $3.20 to place, and $2.80 to show. Lontano brought back $4.90 to place and $3.50 to show, while Forester’s Turn paid $2.50 to show.