The New York Racing Association had originally planned to offer two
Franny Freud is accomplished on both dirt and synthetic surfaces. At
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The John Terranova II pupil began her three-year-old campaign on the Pro-Ride
at Santa Anita, finishing second to Amen Hallelujah (Montbrook) in the January
16 Santa Ynez S. (G2). Franny Freud resurfaced in the April 7 Beaumont at
Keeneland and dominated the about seven-furlong Polytrack affair in
front-running fashion. Dropping back into restricted company last out in the May
2 Park Avenue division of the New York Stallion S., she outclassed her
opposition by 7 3/4 lengths on Belmont’s main track.
“She had a little bit of a break between November and January, and then had
some rest before her start in April,” Terranova said regarding his filly’s
program. “She’s run pretty fast in her last two starts, but they’ve been pretty
easy for her.”
Terranova explained why he decided to enter Franny Freud in Wednesday’s
seven-furlong test on the Widener Turf.
“There are a couple of races (for fillies) out of town, but this race sets us
up well for a spot like the Prioress ([G1] on the dirt at Belmont on July 4),”
the trainer revealed.
Franny Freud got her first feel for the grass on May 16, drilling a bullet
five furlongs around the “dogs” in 1:01 on the firm inner turf.
“It looks like she has no problem with (the turf),” Terranova said of the
workout.
Although Franny Freud will be racing on turf for the first time, she already
boasts a win over males. The bay made her career debut in an open maiden at
Belmont last May, romping by seven lengths.
Regular rider Garrett Gomez will guide Franny Freud from post 8 in the
10-horse field.
Franny Freud holds a significant class edge over her rivals. The only other
stakes winner in the field is MAKE NOTE (Read the Footnotes), who won the
Bertram F. Bongard S. and Great White Way division of the New York Stallion S.
as a juvenile. In his lone start as a three-year-old, he was runner-up to
General Maximus (Freud) in the May 2 Times Square division of the New York
Stallion S.
“We definitely think he should improve off that race,” said Kristina Dupps,
assistant to George Weaver.
Edgar Prado retains the mount aboard Make Note, who drew post 3 and was
tabbed as the 7-2 second choice.
GAME TOKEN (Gold Token) and HITTIN THE NOTE (Read the Footnotes) will try to
improve off their respective third- and fourth-place finishes in the Times
Square division.
SEATTLE MISSION (Strategic Mission) merits respect as a debut maiden winner
on the turf at Saratoga last summer. Finishing third in that race was eventual
multiple Grade 2-placed Drosselmeyer (Distorted Humor), a contender in the June
5 Belmont S. (G1).
Seattle Mission, who represents the Sackatoga Stable/Barclay Tagg combination
made famous by Funny Cide, has not raced since. The chestnut returned to the
worktab in March and has been training steadily in advance of his reappearance,
most recently breezing a half-mile from the gate in :49 on May 13.
“It’s been so long since he ran,” assistant trainer Robin Smullen said of the
decision to give Seattle Mission a gate drill. “Seven furlongs is pretty quick,
so we don’t want him to be flat-footed.”
Cornelio Velasquez will be reunited with Seattle Mission, who will break from
the rail and was assigned morning-line odds of 10-1.