De Francis Dash Nominees Have BC Ties
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Photo: Rick Samuels
Private Zone
Two competitors from the TwinSpires.com Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) and another who was nominated but opted for a New York-bred stakes are among 27 nominees for the $350,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel Park Nov. 14.
The De Francis Dash is one of six stakes on the Saturday card at the Maryland racetrack.
Good Friends Stable's Private Zone and trainer David Jacobson and Southern Equine Stable's Salutos Amigos, second and fifth, respectively, behind Runhappy in the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland, are among the De Francis nominees. Also nominated is Antonino Miuccio's Palace , who won the restricted Hudson Handicap at Belmont Park Oct. 24.
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Linda Rice, who trains Palace, also nominated Vina Del Mar Thoroughbreds and Black Swan Stables' Kid Cruz, who would cut back to six furlongs after going long for most of his career.
The one-two finishers in the Maryland Million Sprint Handicap—M.E. Jones and trainer Robin Graham's Jack's in the Deck and The Jim Stable's Ben's Cat—also are nominated for the De Francis Dash, as is Barbara Hopkins' Trouble Kid, who was claimed for $15,000 in July and has since won four races, including the Gallant Bob Stakes (gr. III) and Valley Forge Stakes at Parx Racing.