Majesticperfection’s top-class distaffer Chanteline scored her first graded stakes win on Friday on the Keeneland turf with a rousing victory in the $100,000 Buffalo Trace Franklin County S. (G3).
The 6-year-old already has two other listed turf wins, as well as a score in the Spring Fever S. on the main track, this year. After Friday’s win, her overall mark stands at 9-7-3 in 26 starts for Ten Broeck Farm.
Much like she did in winning Saratoga’s $100,000 Smart N Fancy S. in late August, Chanteline set a few lengths off the early pace in the 5 1/2-furlong Franklin County. In some traffic trouble from the three-eighths to the quarter pole, jockey Rafael Santana, Jr. pushed his mount through a small opening in upper stretch and rallied strongly to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:02.89 on the firm turf.
“She’s just got such a big heart,” said Scott Blasi, assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. “She’s gotten really good this summer. I actually think she prefers the grass over the dirt. She’s learned to relax and punch home. She’s been very special to us.”
Chanteline upped her career earnings to $584,972. She was bred by Brereton Jones and is a half-sister to two-time stakes winner Kell Paso.
Chanteline was a $130,000 weanling purchase at the 2012 Keeneland November sale. She is one of Majesticperfection’s 10 stakes horses this year.
