A frequent face on the mid-atlantic seaboard, he'd broken his maiden and hit the board in the Sapling S. at Monmouth Park before being shipped to Delaware, where he picked up a second career win against optional claimers. Sixth in the Rocky Run S. last October when contesting over a muddy track, Frankie's Empire made his final start for Susan Crowell at Parx, where he scored another optional claiming win.

Moved to Michael Yates in Florida, and with only one work over the track in late January, the betting public left him ice cold on the board at 14-1. Content to watch as Billal (Street Sense) and Risk It (Gun Runner) disputed the pace, he loomed the danger coming around the bend and was rolling under a full head of steam entering the lane. Inhaling 4-5 favorite Legalize (Constitution) and all challengers to his inside, Frankie's Empire drew clear by 3 1/2 lengths as fellow 13-1 longshot Le Dom Bro (Mucho Macho Man) rolled home to further burn tickets from second. Grand Mo the First (Uncle Mo) rallied from way out to take third.

The victor is the newest stakes winner for Classic Empire, who was purchased by the Korea Racing Authority, and imported to South Korea Dec. 18 for his first season in the country this year.

A half-brother to Chaparella, a stakes-placed runner turned winner producer, Frankie's Empire also claims SP Streetlady (Street Boss), a winner producer in England, as a half-sibling. He's the most recent to the races for Donna D, who produced a pair of colts after the winner–a 2-year-old by Midnight Lute and a yearling by Tapiture. She is due to Mystic Guide in 2024. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

It was wide open coming to the stretch until #9 FRANKIE'S EMPIRE ($30) emerged with the lead and pulled away to win the $125K Swale Stakes. The son of Classic Empire was ridden by Miguel Vasquez and is trained by Michael Yates.

The $125,000 Forward Gal Stakes (GIII) is up next! pic.twitter.com/uxgq9CPGFB

— TVG (@TVG) February 3, 2024

SWALE S., $125,000, Gulfstream, 2-3, 3yo, 7f, 1:24.22, ft.
1–FRANKIE'S EMPIRE, 120, c, 3, by Classic Empire
           1st Dam: Donna D (SP, $100,344), by Dixie Union
           2nd Dam: Creativity, by Notebook
           3rd Dam: She's Realistic, by In Reality
($20,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Frank DeLuca; B-Ralph Kinder & Erv Woolsey (KY); T-Michael Yates; J-Miguel Angel Vasquez. $75,950. Lifetime Record: 7-4-0-1, $185,700. *1/2 to Chaparella (Service Stripe), MSP, $163,421.
2–Le Dom Bro, 118, c, 3, Mucho Macho Man–Valiant Emilia (Per), by Pegasus Wind. ($20,000 Ylg '22 OBSWIN). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Vicente Stella Stables LLC; B-Teneri Farms Inc (KY); T-Eniel Cordero. $24,500.
3–Grand Mo the First, 120, c, 3, Uncle Mo–Lilies So Fair, by Giant's Causeway. ($125,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $135,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT; $335,000 RNA 2yo '23 OBSMAR). O-Granpollo Stable; B-John D. Gunther (KY); T-Victor Barboza, Jr.. $12,250.
Margins: 3HF, 3/4, NK. Odds: 14.00, 13.10, 7.80.
Also Ran: Billal, Risk It, Colorado Cruiser, Legalize. Scratched: Bentornato, Squints.

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On the heels of a very successful GI Pegasus World Cup weekend, Gulfstream Park offers a tremendous card with five graded races, including the 34th running of the GIII Holy Bull S. named for the Hall of Famer and 1994 Horse of the Year, who won that year's GI Florida Derby. Forty Kentucky Derby points are on the line with the winner collecting the lion's share.

Cyclone Mischief (Into Mischief) enters off a 5 3/4-length allowance romp at a mile over this surface Jan. 8. The $450,000 KEESEP yearling purchase is out of a half to GSW Suddenbreakingnews (Mineshaft) and hails from the female family of MGIW Composure (Touch Gold).

“I think he's one of the best 3-year-olds in the country, and he's training like one,” trainer Dale Romans said. “There are a lot of good horses out there, but we're in a good spot right now.”

Legacy Isle (Shackleford) would be undefeated and the only stakes winner so far of the bunch after wiring the Mucho Macho Man S. on New Year's Day, but was disqualified for bothering a rival in the lane and was placed second.

Hall of Fame conditioner Bill Mott entered two in the Holy Bull, Rocket Can (Into Mischief) and Shadow Dragon (Army Mule).

The GIII Claiborne Swale S. doesn't offer any Derby points and isn't considered a Derby prep, but it is named after the 1984 Derby winner and Hall of Famer who died suddenly eight days after the GI Belmont S.

The streaking Super Chow (Lord Nelson) drew the outside in the six-runner test, which will be contested at seven furlongs. The winner of five of his six career races is coming off three straight listed stakes wins and makes a jump back into graded company. He broke his maiden in his debut July 2 at Gulfstream and was third in the GII Saratoga Special S. before shipping back to Florida to collect his last three wins.

“He's in his best shape ever,” trainer Jorge Delgado said. “He's been maturing race to race. He's been showing a lot of class. From race to race, he's a more professional horse. He's becoming a man.”

Not to be overshadowed by the boys, 10 fillies are set to race seven-eighths on the main track in the GIII Forward Gal S.

Atomically (Girvin) is the likely favorite in her first start since an even seventh-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 4. It was her first start for trainer Todd Pletcher after being sold privately to a group headed by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners after winning the Florida Sire My Dear Girl S. over the Gulfstream Park main track Oct. 1.

Ginger Brew S. winner Cairo Consort (Cairo Prince) is the 2-1 morning-line favorite against eight other sophomore turf fillies in the 1 1/16-mile GIII Sweetest Chant S. The Todd Pletcher-trained filly won Woodbine's Catch A Glimpse S., was second in the GI Natalma S. and third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. This race will be her first start beyond a mile.

Only four will line up in the GIII Robert B. Lewis S., a 1 1/16-mile test offering 41 Road to the Derby points to the top-four finishers on a 20-8-6-4-2 scale. This is where the race's Kentucky Derby implications take a turn. Each of the four runners are trained by a single trainer and that trainer–currently–is forbidden from participating in racing at Churchill Downs.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has saddled a record 10 winners of the Robert B. Lewis–including the last four in a row–sat in a Louisville courtroom for two days this week. His team of attorneys is seeking an injunction against his two-year ban from competing at Churchill Downs following Medina Spirit's post-race positive for the prohibited steroid betamethasone after crossing the wire first in the 2021 Derby. Medina Spirit also won the 2021 Lewis.

Arabian Lion (Justify) will lead his stablemates. The $600,000 OBSAPR 2-year-old was a dismal fifth in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 17 at odds of 2-5 but has been working lights out for his return here.

Newgate (Into Mischief) hasn't reached the winner's circle since breaking his maiden at Del Mar but was a short second in the GIII Sham S. a month ago. The $850,000 KEESEP yearling was also second to last week's GIII San Vicente S. winner and stablemate Havnameltdown (Uncaptured) in the GIII Bob Hope S. at Del Mar Nov. 20. Maiden winner Hard To Figure (Hard Spun) and maiden Worcester (Empire Maker) round out the Baffert quartet.

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Brad Cox sends out In Dreams (Frosted) off a pair of dominant victories. Off the board in his career bow at Churchill in October, the dark bay was second next out when dangled for a $150,000 tag at Keeneland 26 days later. Running away to a 6 1/2-length score in the same condition, but going a furlong shorter next out at Churchill Nov. 24, the $85,000 KEESEP acquisition rolled home to another six-length victory next out in a muddy optional claimer at Oaklawn Dec. 17.

A debut winner at this oval May 29, Of a Revolution (Maclean's Music) followed suit with an optional claimer score going six furlongs next out at Gulfstream Nov. 13. The chestnut completed the exacta in the Limehouse S. going the same distance last out in Hallandale Jan. 1.

Also of interest here is Stonehedge homebred Dean Delivers (Cajun Breeze). Graduating by 7 1/4 lengths in his career bow at Gulfstream June 26, the chestnut missed by a neck next out in the Florida Sire Dr. Fager S. July 31 here and came up a neck short yet again in a local optional claimer Jan. 8.

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Yates and Cajun Breeze will be represented in both the $250,000 Grade 3 Holy Bull and $100,000 G3 Swale on Saturday's Gulfstream program that will also feature the $100,000 G3 Forward Gal, $100,000 G3 Kitten's Joy and $100,000 Sweetest Chant.

Yates is scheduled to saddle Cajun's Magic for the Holy Bull, the first graded stakes on the Road to the G1 Florida Derby, and Dean Delivers for the Swale, a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds.

Cajun Breeze, a stakes-placed son of Congrats who won four of 33 starts while primarily competing in allowance and stakes company for Yates, is the sire of both 3-year-olds, both of whom are owned by Stonehedge LLC. After being represented by a pair of stakes winners in his very limited first crop in 2018, Cajun Breeze was moved from Yates' Shadybrook Farm to stand at stud at Stonehedge Farm to advance his stallion career.

Cajun's Breeze's offspring have demonstrated versatility and toughness.

“They're just very solid horses that have really good minds,” Yates said. “A lot of them have a lot of raw talent. I feel like we haven't seen the best of them yet.”

Yates opted to run Cajun's Magic in the Holy Bull due to his experience around two turns. After winning the six-furlong Dr. Fager and finishing second in the seven-furlong Affirmed in the first two legs of the 2021 Florida Sire Stakes series, he finished a very game second behind favored Octane in the 1 1/16-mile In Reality final.

“We didn't want to run them in the same race, and Cajun's Magic already ran a mile and a sixteenth in the sire stakes and ran a good race,” Yates said. “I think he's better now than he was then. Even though he's coming off a layoff, he's been training really well.”

Cajun's Magic will take on eight rivals, including G2 Remsen winner Mo Donegal, Breeders' Cup Juvenile third-place finisher Giant Game and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf second-place finisher Tiz the Bomb.

Dean Delivers finished a dead-game second in his return off a five-month layoff after battling favored Dean's List through the stretch before coming up just a neck short of victory.

“I thought it was a huge effort, especially off the layoff. He didn't get away from the gate very well, but it may have been a blessing in disguise because there was a hot pace,” Yates said. “I thought he ran a great race.”

Dean Delivers graduated at first asking by 7 1/2 lengths before finishing a neck behind Cajun's Magic in the Dr. Fager.

“He's worked very well. His work between races was the deciding factor. I was anticipating running him in a Florida-bred allowance race,” Yates said. “Being that he ran such a big race off the layoff, you got to worry about the bounce factor a little bit, but he's gone so forward and is doing really well, we decided to take a shot and see what we have.”

Dean Delivers will face five opponents Brad Cox-trained In Dreams, a winner of his last two starts at Churchill Downs and Oaklawn; Todd Pletcher-trained My Prankster, a stakes-placed son of Into Mischief; and Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Of a Revolution, who finished a close second in the six-furlong Limehouse last time out.

Jesus Rios has the call on Cajun's Magic, while Miguel Vasquez has the mount aboard Dean Delivers.

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The impressive winner of the Swale (G3) at Gulfstream Park in his most recent start was also being considered for the March 6 Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct.

“Drain the Clock is going to run in the Fountain of Youth,” Joseph said. “We get to stay at home and don't have to ship. The weather in New York can be unpredictable this time of year “

Drain the Clock has won four of five career starts, his only loss coming in his third start when his jockey was unseated when an iron broke in a Delta Downs stakes in November. The son of Maclean's Music has won all three of his races impressively at Gulfstream.

The 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth, the major prep for the $750,000 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) March 27 at Gulfstream, will headline a 14-race program with nine stakes, eight graded. It will mark Drain the Clock's first opportunity to win around two turns.

“I think he'll get two turns. But you don't know until they do it,” Joseph said. “He has stamina on his dam's side. He's won his races very impressively, so he deserves the chance. “

Drain the Clock is scheduled to join a deep field that includes Greatest Honour, Tarantino and Prime Factor, the first three finishers, respectively, in the Jan. 30 Holy Bull (G3). The Fountain of Youth offers the winner 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

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The Swale, a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds, was featured on a 12-race program with five graded stakes, headlined by the $200,000 Holy Bull (G3).

Drain the Clock, whose only loss in five career starts came at Delta Downs when his rider was unseated after a rein broke, was particularly impressive Saturday when it was revealed that the son of Maclean's Music was treated for a case of colic less than two weeks earlier.

“He made it easy today, but 12 days ago he colicked really bad and went to the clinic. Thank God, he got there, and he was good,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “To see him win like that today – he's a good horse. We had to make the call after he breezed on Tuesday. There was no pressure to run. He worked good Tuesday and didn't give us any reason to say, 'no.'”

Owned by Slam Dunk Racing, Madaket Racing Stables LLC, Wonder Stables and Michael Nentwig, Drain the Clock was sent to post as the even-money favorite in a field of six on the strength of his 7 ½-length victory in the six-furlong Limehouse Stakes Jan. 2 at Gulfstream. The Kentucky-bred colt broke alertly from the starting gate to rate outside pacesetter Poppy's Pride, who set fractions of 22.48 and 45.27 seconds for the first half-mile. Drain the Clock moved effortless to the lead under Edgar Zayas on the turn into the stretch and continued on to score a comfortable victory.

Drain the Clock ran seven furlongs in 1:23.29 after being taken under wraps approaching the finish.

“I'm very impressed. He's just improving every race. He's such an easy horse to ride. He breaks out of the gate like a rocket and positions himself in a perfect spot, and when it's time to run he kicks on. He's a really nice horse,” Zayas said. “I think he's maturing a lot. He's running way more straight and more focused into the race. Sometimes inside the gate he was a little nervous but today he was awesome. I think he's improving; hopefully he can stretch out his speed a little bit more.”

King's Ovation and Ultimate Badger, the longest and second-longest shots on the board, finishes second and third for trainer Dale Romans.

Drain the Clock won his Sept. 12 debut in a five-furlong off-the-turf race at Gulfstream by six lengths and came right back to win a first-level optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream Park West. Favored in the Nov. 30 Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs, Drain the Clock lost his rider after a rein broke during the race, but has rebounded nicely with back-to-back scores in the Limehouse and Swale.

The $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) Feb. 27 at Gulfstream Park will be taken into consideration for Drain the Clock's next start, Joseph said.

“Everything will be under consideration. We'll talk to the owners, obviously, but there's no pressure to push that route. If everything goes good, I'm sure we'll try it,” Joseph said. “He looks like he'll get further.”

The 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth is the major prep for the $750,000 Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill 'n Dale at Xalapa.

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Although also nominated to the $200,000 Holy Bull (G3), the 1 1/16-mile Curlin Florida Derby prep that will headline a 12-race program with five graded stakes, Drain the Clock will seek to remain undefeated in South Florida in the seven-furlong undercard feature for 3-year-olds.

“The Swale is a good opportunity to stretch him out an eighth of a mile more. We feel like it's a race that's his for the taking,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said.

Drain the Clock captured his Sept. 12 debut in a five-furlong off-the-turn maiden special weight race at Gulfstream before winning a first-level optional claiming allowance at six furlongs at Gulfstream Park West Oct. 28. The son of Maclean's Music was favored to win the Nov. 28 Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs but unseated his rider when a rein broke during the race.

The Joseph trainee rebounded in a big way at Gulfstream Park Jan. 2 while winning the six-furlong Limehouse Stakes by 7 ½ lengths.

“His last race was a breakthrough race. We always thought a lot of him. First time out he showed that he could relax. Second time out was more workmanlike. Third time out everything went wrong,” Joseph said. “To see him come back like that was more impressive than we could have imagined. It was satisfying to see him win like that.”

Joseph said he isn't ruling out a future stretch-out for Drain the Clock.

“It's definitely in the backs of our minds. We just want to take it step by step,” Joseph said. “The owners are very realistic. They're not going to get Derby Fever. They want to do what's right by the horse.”

Edgard Zayas, who has been aboard Drain the Clock for all three victories, has the return mount.

Repole Stable, St. Elias Stable and Stonestreet Stables LLC's Likeable will cut back in distance for the Swale after finishing far back in the 1 1/16-mile Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keeneland after pressing a solid early pace.

“We kind of threw him to the wolves in the Breeders' Cup. He went too fast early on,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “We've regrouped since then and he's been training well. We feel like backing up to seven furlongs will be a good distance for him.”

The son of Frosted finished second in a photo finish in his Saratoga debut Aug. 22 before graduating in a one-turn mile race at Belmont by 8 ¼ lengths.

Luis Saez has the call aboard Likeable.

Jump Sucker Stable, Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's By George will make only his second career start in the Swale, following his 5 ¼-length maiden romp at Aqueduct Dec. 19.

Irad Ortiz Jr. has the call aboard the Christophe Clement-trained son of Into Mischief.

Stonehedge LLC's Poppy's Pride will seek his fourth straight stakes victory Saturday. The son of Khozan, who is eligible for a $25,000 win-only bonus offered to Florida Sire Stakes-eligible runners, came off a maiden victory to capture the off-the-turf Armed Forces at Gulfstream, the Juvenile Sprint for Florida-breds at Gulfstream Park and the Inaugural at Tampa Bay Downs Dec. 5.

Jesus Rios, who was aboard for the Armed Forces and Juvenile Sprint wins, has the call.

Jim Bakke and Gerry Isbister's Ultimate Badger and West Point Thoroughbreds and Peacock Stable's King's Ovation will represent trainer Dale Romans in the Holy Bull. Ultimate Badger finished fifth in the Mucho Macho Man Jan. 2 at Gulfstream, while King's Ovation was no factor in an optional claiming allowance at Churchill Downs after breaking his maiden in his second career start.

Jose Ortiz has the call on Ultimate Badger, while Corey Lanerie is named on King's Ovation.

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