Qatar Racing and Racehorse Club's The Lir Jet hadn't won a race since June of 2020, and had no luck in his first trip to the United States when ninth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf last fall. Despite a trio of off-the-board finishes and a three-month layoff, the 3-year-old son of Prince of Lir made his return trip to the United States a winning one on Saturday at Kentucky Downs.
Piloted by Tyler Gaffalione for trainer Brendan Walsh, The Lir Jet moved up the inside rail to earn a 1 3/4-length victory at odds of 8-1 in the Grade 3 Franklin-Simpson Stakes. He completed 6 1/2 furlongs over the firm course in 1:15.38, giving David Redvers' Qatar Racing a third straight win in the race.
Into the Sunrise and Bodenheimer were quick early, the former speeding away to lead the first quarter mile in :22.18. The Lir Jet got prime position along the inside, moving into fifth around the turn as the two frontrunners hooked up for the stretch run. Into the Sunrise held firm until The Lir Jet came up his inside and took command, pulling away to win by 1 3/4 lengths.
Easy Time made up a ton of ground to finish second by a head over Fauci, with Into the Sunrise just a nose back in fourth.
Bred in Ireland by Mr. Donal Boylan, The Lir Jet was a $9,775 yearling purchase at Goffs. He won his first two starts, including the G2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, and was twice placed in G1 company as a juvenile before his trip to the Breeders' Cup. This year, The Lir Jet ran third in a G3 in April, but had managed no better than sixth in his three starts since. Overall, The Lir Jet owns three wins, two seconds and a third from 11 starts, with earnings of $313,882.
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