Trainer John
Terranova swept both ends of the New York Stallion Stakes at Belmont Park Sunday
afternoon with a pair of favorites, sending out Franny Freud to win the $100,000
Park Avenue Division and coming back with General Maximus in the $100,000 Times
Square Division.
Franny Freud, winner of the Grade
2 Beaumont in her last start, made quick work of her five opponents in the race
for 3-year-old daughters of New
York stallions. With Garrett Gomez aboard, the Freud
filly tracked So N So through an opening quarter in 22.55, then took over on the
turn before opening up to hit the wire 7 ¾ lengths in front.
Her time for the 6 ½ furlongs was
1:16.15 over a fast track.
"She's not very big, but she's
full of heart; little, but mighty," said Gomez. "Every time I took a peek back
they were farther behind."
Owned by Paul Pompa, Jr., Stephen
Yarbrough and Winter Park Partners, Franny Freud has now won six of her nine
lifetime starts, including her 2009 stakes victories in the NYSS Fifth Avenue at
Belmont Park, the Lady Finger Stakes at Finger Lakes, and the Ontario Deb at Woodbine.
She returned $2.50 for a $2 win
bet as she earned $60,000 to boost her bankroll to $476,029.
"She's just a special, special
girl," said Terranova, noting that the Grade 1 Prioress at Belmont Park on July 4 could be a target for the
filly. "She's gotten better and better as she's grown and matured and who knows
how good she could be?"
So N So held on for second, a
nose in front of Freud's Notebook, who in turn was followed by Positive Pitch,
Raffie's Rose, and Ommadon's Angel. Hook Me Up was scratched.
General Maximus, a son of Freud
who was making his first start for Terranova and first start in a stakes race,
handled his competition equally well in the Times Square for 3-year-old males.
Ridden by Javier Castellano, General Maximus dueled with Cajun Jet through an
opening half in 45.24, then opened up on his seven rivals to coast to a 3
¼-length victory over Make Note, completing the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.49.
"He's a speed horse who likes to
be in front, so he enjoyed the trip," said Castellano. "I really like the
horse."
Owned by Michael Imperio and
Elizabeth Loftus, General Maximus returned $3.60 for a $2 win bet and extended
his record to three wins from four starts. The winner's purse of $60,000 more
than doubled his earnings to $110,200, and following the race Imperio said he
would donate $10,000 of the colt's winnings to Anna House, Belmont Park's day
care center for the children of backstretch workers.
"He's just a really talented colt
and he looks like the real deal," said Terranova of General Maximus. "From here
we'll get to know him a little but better, and see how he comes back off
this."
Following Make Note under the
wire were Game Token, Hittin the Note, Cajun Jet, Ommadon's Answer, Zealous Boy,
and Reading Group. Eire's Run and Regal Court were
scratched.