Sunday’s GII Franklin Stakes at Keeneland was a tale of two contrasting trips. Larry Johnson’s Future Is Now (Great Notion), breaking from post 5, enjoyed a rail-hugging journey that opened up perfectly at the top of the stretch, allowing her to surge to the front and claim victory. Meanwhile, Godolphin’s Star of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), who left post 1, found herself shuffled to the back of the 12-horse field, necessitating a tremendous rally in order to make any impact. Ultimately, Future Is Now emerged as the winner by 3/4 of a length, though Star of Mystery’s remarkable closing effort, despite falling short, is worth noting with upcoming races in mind.
Despite a 50-minute delay due to a power outage, Future Is Now, sent off at 6-1, broke quickly but was allowed to settle in third behind pacesetters Stone Silent (Adios Charlie) and Pipsy (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who clocked a blistering opening quarter in :21.17. At the same time, Star of Mystery, the 4-5 favorite, was caught at the rear of the field, loaded with energy but without room to maneuver.
As the field straightened for home, Future Is Now advanced to second, gradually closing in on the leader. Meanwhile, Star of Mystery had to weave her way through traffic, slicing between horses as she made her bid. Despite her valiant effort, she fell just short, finishing 3/4 of a length behind the winner. Pandora’s Gift, making only her second U.S. start, finished another half-length back in third. The final time for the 5 1/2-furlong race was 1:01.47, breaking the stakes record of 1:01 3/5 set by Chris’s Thunder in 2000.
“The filly was great today,” winning jockey Paco Lopez said of Future Is Now. “She was very comfortable during the race. She was perfect. After a little breather, I asked her, and she passed between the horses, no problem at all, and she gave me a big kick.”
Flavien Prat, aboard beaten favorite Star of Mystery, explained, “She broke well, but I just wasn’t fast enough early. We got covered up, and I found myself too far back. I had to make up ground, but when you come from behind, there’s always traffic. I never stopped riding her, but I had to find spot after spot.”
Pandora’s Gift, ridden by Adam Beschizza, was coming off a second-place finish in the GII Presque Isle Masters on September 20. “She ran well,” Beschizza said. “I think she’s really got her speed dialed in after that good run at Presque Isle.”
Future Is Now has been a consistent performer in 2024. After winning a five-furlong sprint at Gulfstream in February, she placed second in the Captiva Island Stakes in March and finished fifth in the King Leatherbury Stakes at Laurel in April. She then captured The Very One Stakes at Pimlico in May and followed up with a victory in the GII Intercontinental Stakes at Saratoga in June. She placed third in the GIII Caress Stakes in July before winning the Smart N Fancy Stakes at Saratoga in August, beating Star Guest (GB) and favored Roses for Debra.
Pedigree Notes:
Future Is Now’s Franklin Stakes victory marks the eighth graded stakes win for Northview Stallion Station’s Maryland-based sire Great Notion. Her dam, Past as Prelude, has also produced stakes winner Call Another Play (Audible) and multiple stakes-placed Continentalcongress (Constitution). Past as Prelude, a half-sister to Grade III winner Street Magician (Street Cry {Ire}), has an unraced juvenile colt by McKinzie and a weanling filly by Audible. She was bred back to Charlatan.
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