When you're hot, you're hot, and Manny Franco has been very, very hot. On Friday, Franco equaled the record for the number of wins on a single card at Saratoga with 6 of 9 mounts, including consecutive wins with his first five mounts from Races 2-6. His sixth win came in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes (G2). He led all jockeys with 12 wins for the week.
The panel of racing experts voted Franco Jockey of the Week for August 3-August 9.
Leading up to an incredible day on Friday, Franco posted two wins on Wednesday, including the Johnstone Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-years-old and up. Trainer Linda Rice gave Franco a leg up aboard Munnings Express, who won by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:23.39 for seven furlongs.
Franco then won the nightcap with Rossbeigh for trainer Miguel Clement.
On Thursday, Franco started the day with a win in the first race for Linda Rice and the second race for Horacio De Paz. Franco also won the fifth race for James Ryerson.
Franco got off to a fast start on Friday with a win in the second race for Graham Motion and the third race for Chad Brown. Franco continued his win streak with the fourth race for Linda Rice, the fifth race again for Linda Rice, and the sixth race for Juan Avila.
Franco then tied the record for wins on a single card in Race 9, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes (G2) for three-year-olds aboard Bottas for Miguel Clement, who earlier in the day celebrated the induction of his late father, Christophe, into the Hall of Fame.
Off as the second choice at odds of 7-2, Bottas broke outside in the field of seven and raced in fourth down the backstretch behind race favorite Touch of Fire with Irad Ortiz, Jr. Into the stretch Franco guided Bottas four wide catching Touch of Fire near the sixteenth pole edging away from his six rivals to a 1-1/2 length win in 1:34.67 for one mile on the inner turf.
With his sixth victory of the day, Franco tied the Saratoga record for wins on a single card, joining Hall of Famers Johnny Velazquez (9/3/2001) and Ramon Dominguez (7/22/2012; 9/2/2012). Irad Ortiz Jr. also equaled the record just two weeks ago on July 25.
"This is an amazing place and doing it here is just amazing," said Franco. "This is the best place in the world, and I'm just so happy to be doing it here. I come in with confidence. I ride every race to win, any kind of horse. I'm positive every day with my horses, and I think that's the way it's been. Just having the support of all the owners and trainers here in New York, so I'm happy to be in this position."
Franco's final and 12th win of the week was Race 14 on Saturday for Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher. Franco is currently in third place in the standings with 34 wins, just behind Jose Ortiz (40) and Flavien Prat (38).
Other nominees for Jockey of the Week included Junior Alvarado, who won the Whitney (G1); Kendrick Carmouche, with two graded stakes wins including the Fourstardave (G1); Juan J. Hernandez, with four stakes wins at Del Mar including the Yellow Ribbon (G2); and Luis Saez, with four stakes wins including the Saratoga Derby (G1).
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