How to bet the Franklin County Stakes

A well-matched field of 12 fillies and mares will dash 5 1/2 furlongs on the Keeneland turf in Friday’s feature, the $150,000 Franklin County (G3).

Franklin County Analysis

The early speed in the race will come from #3 Surrender Now, #5 Jakarta, and #6 Violent Times, and the pace will be honest at the very least.

Franklin County Contenders

#1 BOHEMIAN BOURBON (20-1) -- Royal North (G2) third failed to fire at Kentucky Downs over soft turf most recently but will improve on Saturday. Midshipman filly had been mostly consistent prior to her latest, and she merits top-three respect at a price beneath Lanerie.

#2 INTO MYSTIC (6-1) -- Bay filly has shown marked improvement since moving to the lawn three races back. Daughter of Into Mischief is a stakes heroine on the green who exits a fine third in a tough spot at Kentucky Downs most recently. Upset pick will have Talamo in the controls.

#3 SURRENDER NOW (15-1) -- Speedy sort from the Asmussen shedrow is stakes-placed on the course and is eligible for big improvement second time off the barn change. Morning Line mare will be a pace presence at a big price under Santana.

#4 TOMLIN (50-1) -- Distorted Humor 4-year-old has won or placed in each of her trio of lawn tries leading up to Saturday. Kentucky-bred has a solid turn of foot on her best day, and she could make the frame with a top performance at a huge price. 

#5 JAKARTA (6-1) -- Fleet contender from the Maker barn was a fine runner-up in the Caress S. at Saratoga two back and will be a threat late with a similar showing. Bustin Stones mare makes her local debut coming off a facile tally over lesser most recently, and she will have Castellano in the silks.

#6 VIOLENT TIMES (30-1) -- Nicks-trained daughter of Violence was an even fifth in the race in 2019 and is not without a chance on this occasion. Recent stakes queen has endured success sprinting on the green in the past, and the speedy sort will never be far back early on with Hernandez up.

#7 WINNING ENVELOPE (10-1) -- Hard-trying chestnut was an allowance winner in her latest venture on the Keeneland sod for Block. The in-form daughter of More Than Ready has been second in three straight overall, and she will benefit as much as any player in the field if the pace is fast and contested. Julien Leparoux has the call.

#8 CHANGE OF CONTROL (15-1) -- Talented but inconsistent Lovell trainee was an allowance second in her lone previous try on the surface. Fed Biz filly surely has ability, but I don’t like her in this spot against a very deep field.

#9 STILLWATER COVE (8-1) -- Wesley Ward pupil makes her first run in a year and could be any kind at a square price. Stakes vixen was a dominant allowance winner on the surface in her latest showing, and she is training well in preparation for her return as well. Corrales will be in the stirrups.

#10 GOT STORMY (6-5) -- Multiple Grade 1 queen returned to her winning ways with a convincing score over a soft turf course at Kentucky Downs last time out. Chestnut daughter of Get Stormy has shown signs of rounding back into her best form as of late, although she may need some give in the turf to provide her best performance. Tyler Gaffalione will guide the versatile 5-year-old.

#11 CHALON (12-1) -- Multiple stakes vixen intrigues while making her grassy debut in the Franklin County. Delacour charge is clearly good enough to win the race from a class standpoint, and she also comes in with strong current form in her last three assignments. Bejarano rides the wildcard.

#12 AMBASSADOR LUNA (12-1) -- Brethren lass is on a roll with a trio of top showings in succession, but a wide post combined with a potential class question makes her tough to back with confidence in this affair.

Franklin County Wagers

• $10 Win and Place: #2 Into Mystic ($20)
• 50-cent Trifecta: 2 with 1,7,9,10 with all ($20)