Chanteline Gets First Graded Score in Franklin County
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Chanteline wins the Franklin County Stakes at Keeneland
She's a stakes winner on turf and dirt. She's handled soft going and firm conditions. In short, Chanteline has developed into a thoroughly professional racehorse—one that is getting exceptionally good at a most ideal time.
Honest is as honest does, and Ten Broeck Farm's Chanteline continues to deliver some straightforward efforts with stellar results. The 6-year-old daughter of Majesticperfection can now add graded stakes winner to her list of descriptors after mounting a four-wide bid in the lane en route to a three-quarter-length victory over race favorite Belvoir Bay in the $100,000 Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland Oct. 12.
Scott Blasi, assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, said they would consider running Chanteline back in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs—a notion that is hard to argue following the mare's ninth victory. She came into the 5 1/2-furlong Franklin County off a victory in the Aug. 26 Smart N Fancy Stakes over the same distance at Saratoga Race Course, finishing just a tick off the track record, and hasn't been worse than fourth in nine starts since running seventh in the 2017 edition of the Smart N Fancy.
"She went to Saratoga this year and just flourished," Blasi said. "I thought she did well physically, she's probably in the best physical condition she's ever been in her life—which is impressive for her age. She just seems to continue to get better. After she won the race at Saratoga, this was definitely our plan. She's a Majesticperfection, and she's been very special to us."
Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. gushed to Blasi post-race how much he loved riding the bay mare. With her handiness and willingness to relax in any scenario, she certainly made life enjoyable for her partner in the saddle Friday.
Sent off at 3-1 odds out of post 9, Chanteline rated between horses in fourth as Girls Know Best went the opening quarter-mile in :21.30 over a course rated firm. With the pacesetter still holding the advantage coming into the stretch drive, Santana had clear running in the lane and went to right-handed urging as Chanteline uncorked another gear to cover the distance in 1:02.89.
"I saw the race had a lot of speed," Santana said. "She's the kind of filly where you can put her in the lead, you can put her from behind. She always tries hard. Today, I followed the same plan I did at Saratoga—put her behind the speed and make one run. That's what she did."
Added Blasi, "I think she appreciates the turf. She has learned to relax, which is something she didn't want to do early in her career. She's just learned to be a racehorse, and she's found something she likes."
Multiple graded stakes winner Belvoir Bay came up on the inside to get second by half a length over defending race winner Morticia. Girls Know Best and Delectation completed the top five in the 13-horse field.
"I wish I had gotten out earlier than that," said Flavien Prat, jockey of Belvoir Bay. "I had to wait a little bit, and then she gave me a great trip. She ran a great race. (I knew) I could get through on the rail. I wish we could have gone a little faster (with the fractions), but it is what it is."
Bred in Kentucky by Brereton C. Jones out of the Indian Charlie mare Listen to Libby, Chanteline has now won nine of 26 starts, with $584,972 in earnings. She began her 2018 season on the dirt at Oaklawn Park, including a victory in the Spring Fever Stakes, but has won four of seven career starts on the lawn.
"I think numbers-wise and her last four races, (the turf) is definitely what she wants to do," Blasi said. "I think she appreciates the turf with her style and how she likes to run. She's won three of her last four in places that aren't easy to win races."