NEWS
Spectacular Bid runner-up Wildcat Frankie wins at Gulfstream
Posted: Saturday, February 06, 2010 5:28 PM
by Mike Curry
Stretching out to one mile for the first time, Wildcat Frankie shook free of Bank the Eight entering the stretch and held off that foe to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths in an allowance race for three-year-olds on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
Wildcat Frankie won his debut by 15 1/2 lengths on December 12 at Calder Race Course and entered off a runner-up finish in the Spectacular Bid Stakes on January 9 at Gulfstream for trainer James Hatchett.
Saturday’s allowance race drew a solid field, including Todd Pletcher’s five-length debut winner Overcommunication and tBill Mott’s Soldier Field. Wildcat Frankie took control early and opened a clear lead through an opening quarter in :24.01 before Bank the Eight rolled ahead to push him through a half-mile in :46.53.
Bank the Eight seized command briefly on the turn, but Wildcat Frankie accelerated under Paco Lopez and opened up a 2 1/2-length advantage in early stretch. He tired nearing the finish and began to shorten his stride, but the even-money favorite had enough stamina left to fend off a determined Bank the Eight.
From the first crop of 2004 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes (G1) winner Wildcat Heir, Wildcat Frankie is out of the winning Big Bet mare Talented Bet.
Bank the Eight was 1 3/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Tuvia’s Force. Overcommunication was positioned in fourth approaching the turn but faded to finish last of eight. Soldier Field never fired and finished seventh.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
