Mike McCarthy's Private Creed halted a six-race winless stretch as he held back filly Playlist to comfortably land the $1-million Exacta Systems Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds on Saturday at Kentucky Downs.
Already a winner over the track's European-style turf course after taking the Juvenile Sprint last September, the son of Jimmy Creed had not visited a winner's circle since October when taking the Indian Summer at Keeneland, but he would not be denied Saturday while notching his third victory from 11 career starts and cementing his status as a horse to watch for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) in November at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Joel Rosario for trainer Steve Asmussen, Private Creed rallied along the rail to overtake front-runner Sweet Cherry Pie in the stretch as Playlist, the lone filly in the field, charged up from the outside but had to settle for second.
Private Creed, who won by 2 1/4 lengths, returned $14.02 after completing 6 ½ furlongs in 1:17.03.
Sweet Cherry Pie hung on for third.
Scoring his first win from six starts this year and first in a graded stakes, Private entered off a rallying second-place finish in the Mahony at 5 1/2-furlongs at Saratoga on Aug. 13. HIs record includes a creditable third in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint (G1) at Keeneland. The $585,960 winner's share of the Franklin-Simpson purse boosted his lifetime bankroll to $1,248,286.
Bred in Kentucky by Sierra Farm, Private Creed is out of the Sky Mesa mare South Andros. He was a $155,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Two-Year-Olds In Training Sale, where Mason Springs consigned him.
Franklin-Simpson Quotes
Jockey Joel Rosario, 1st, Private Creed – On riding a repeat winner: “It seems like they run really well over the track. This horse tries had all the time. It seems like he really loves it here.
How was your trip: “It looked like I was in a good spot right in the beginning of the race. It looked like he was responding really well for me and getting over the track really well. We had to work things out turning for home. The horse that was in front of me kind of moved off the rail a little bit and then he came back in. I had horse and was just trying to keep riding him and hopefully if I can maybe go inside at some point and then come out. He came off the rail and I just took it.”
Steve Asmussen, winning trainer, Private Creed:
“Had a lot of confidence in him off the race at Saratoga. It was a little soft, but he needed it and he trained beautifully into this race. And this was the target for him since he won over here last year. Very important for us to have a little success here, with (major client) Ron (Winchell) being a partner on owning the racetrack.
(And now the target is next year's $1-million Ainsworth Turf Sprint against older horses?) “Absolutely. Hope we have another Snapper Sinclair on our hands. But it is great to have a horse that has an affinity for this course because of how rich the purses are.”
(How about Joel Rosario?) “Dream trip. Just as good as it gets. He got away from there well, so he put him in hand and he was comfortable. He's a really big horse; and that was away extremely well for him. And Joel put him in the pocket, came right up the fence.”
Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint? “Absolutely. Heck yes. Whether we run him back between now and then I'm not sure. We'll have to see how much this took out of him.”
(This was 6 1/2 furlongs. Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint is five furlongs at Santa Anita) “I think when he's right, he's extremely good and we're very thankful. Scott (Blasi) did a wonderful job with him. Off the race at Churchill we were very concerned. Big open gash on him and stuff, but it healed up extremely well. It did take longer than we were wanting it to, but he was back just in time. He clipped heels and I believe it was his other leg hitting himself.”
Wesley Ward, trainer, runner-up Playlist: “She ran great. We had to run her against the boys because she didn't get in the other day (in the Music City). I was happy with her. Really happy. I think she's going to go on to be a really good horse.”
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