Keeneland: 2022 Franklin Stakes Exotics Plays

An overflow field of 15 will dash 5 1/2 furlongs on the Keeneland lawn in Sunday’s $300,000 Franklin S. (G3). For fillies and mares, it attracted a superb cast in what is a very competitive handicapping puzzle.

I am going to take a shot with Group 3 queen #5 Have A Good Day (30-1) at a huge price. By Adaay, the bay had a fine juvenile season overseas and gave a nice impression of herself in the Galway S. two back at Saratoga when in contention until late before finishing fifth, beaten by 2 1/2 lengths.

Trained by Gustavo Delgado, the Irish-bred sophomore faces a tall task on Sunday in a deep field while facing her elders, but she is much better than she displayed at Kentucky Downs last time out and could peak third time in the U. S. with Reylu Gutierrez taking the reins.

Wesley Ward’s #6 Twilight Gleaming (7-2) has been first or second in each of her eight career races to date and is a must-use with John Velazquez in the silks. The reigning Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) winner was a sharp runner-up on the course in the spring and has trained well of late, too. National Defense filly has substantial early foot and will be in the mix from the break as an obvious win threat.

Cherie DeVaux’s #8 Bout Time (6-1) is 3-for-5 on the green while posting some sharp performances along the way. The chestnut daughter of Not This Time didn’t fire at Saratoga last time out, but the four-year-old was a dynamic stakes winner at Monmouth prior to that affair, and a repeat of that performance will have her ready for a big run on Sunday at a fair price. Kentucky-bred looms large with Brian Hernandez in the silks. 

#10 Change of Control (5-1) won this race in 2021 over soft ground and is a contender over any kind of going for conditioner Michelle Lovell. Fed Biz six-year-old is versatile and will take a huge step forward following a subpar effort on an all-weather surface in her latest showing. The Kentucky-bred will stalk the early pace with Colby Hernandez signed on.

Franklin Wagers

• $2 exacta box 5,6,8,10 ($24)
• 50-cent trifecta box 5,6,8,10 ($12)
• 10-cent superfecta 5,6 with 5,6,8,10 with 5,6,8,10 with all ($9.80)
• 10-cent superfecta 5,6 with 5,6,8,10 with all with 5,6,8,10 ($9.80)