Ageless Sustains Cut in Franklin County Win

Lael Stables' Ageless took down favored Lady Shipman with a late charge Oct. 9 in the $100,000 Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes at Keeneland, but was injured in the process.

The 6-year-old Successful Appeal   mare sustained a cut below her left hock and was vanned off after her photo was taken in the winner's circle. She beat 3-5 choice Lady Shipman by a head, finishing the 5 1/2-furlongs in course-record 1:03.66 on turf rated firm.

Unhurried by jockey Julien Leparoux, Ageless was fifth along the inside while Richies Sweetheart took the lead for a :21.56 quarter and a :44.78 half. It appeared Ageless may have been injured when 2014 Franklin County winner Free as a Bird clipped heels behind her, but the eventual winner carried on.

Lady Shipman took over from Richies Sweetheart turning for home and opened a two-length lead, but drifted out considerably in upper stretch—and Ageless, who swung into the six-path on the turn, shifted in to rally along the rail and edge the favorite at the wire.

Though the Franklin County is a local prep for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT), a race in which Ageless was fourth last year when beaten just three-quarters of a length, the mare's status for the race is in doubt and would depend upon the severity of the cut. Trainer Arnaud Delacour headed back to the barn to inspect the damage as soon as the trophy presentation concluded.

Kathleen O'Connell, trainer of Lady Shipman, also said she wasn't sure whether her runner would contest the Turf Sprint against males.

"I don't know what we'll do," she said. "We take it one day at a time. She switched leads a little late and the turf seems a little deeper than what she's used to running on and a little wet." 

Ageless paid $7.60, $3, and $2.20 while Lady Shipman brought $2.20 and $2.10. Free as a Bird was worth $2.40. Sweet Nkosi, Elusive Holiday, Richies Sweetheart, Fleet Encounter, and Ekati's Phaeton completed the order of finish.

Bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms out of the Point Given mare Special One, Ageless improved her record to 11-4-4 from 21 starts.