No Sleepless Nights for Equestrian Community As Trainer’s $194,710 Worth Equine Seizes Grade 2 Showdown

The highly anticipated Franklin-Simpson Stakes is here. On Saturday, the battle of the sexes will take place in the famous equestrian arena of the Kentucky Downs as the trainers pin their hopes on their colts and fillies to win the grade 2 event. Among the staunch equines ready to participate in the event, a $194,710-worth filly is also geared up to win the $1 million-worth event at the FanDuel Meet.

Trainer Wesley Ward, who has gained a reputation for clinching the top position on the podiums in the fillies vs. colts events, will be bringing his three-year-old filly, Playlist, for the first time at this event. Playlist, who began her season with a gnarly injury has bagged a staunch earning of $185,680 with 4 starts in 2023 till now.

Playlist geared up for the equestrian event

Trainer Wesley Ward is ready to run his filly named Playlist at Kentucky Downs. The three-year-old will be participating in a 6-1/2-furlong sprint to clinch a win for Ward at the event. Wesley Ward, who has won the first two runnings of the Juvenile Turf Sprint, is confident about Playlist winning against eleven 3-year-old colts at the Franklin-Simpson Stakes.

While talking about the battle of the sexes at the arena in an interview with Paulick Report, Ward stated, “I like to run fillies against colts in sprints.” Further, Ward added, “If you look at the times in the two-year-olds in training sales, the fillies are always faster as a group. I think they can compete against the Colts every time.” Before making her debut on the grounds of Kentucky, Warren had set his eyes on the grade three vent worth $1 million.

However, Playlist could not get into the equestrian event, which was held last Saturday, and had to be supplemented for $30,000 to get an entry in the Franklin-Simpson event. According to Warner, who thought it was time for Playlist to run for the money, “the Filly is training outstanding.” She is a big, robust filly; she looks like a colt”. Playlist began her journey with Ward in 2021 and has been an impressive addition to his breeding list.

All you need to know about Playlist

Playlist, daughter of Uncle MO, was co-purchased for $400,00 in the 2021 Keeneland September Sale by the Colmore Partnership of Westerberg, Susan Magnier, Jonathan Poulin, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor. Since then, the filly has been under the care of equestrian trainer Wesley Ward and has made tremendous growth under his tutelage.

After breaking her maiden at Turfway in February, Ward helped the filly bounce back stronger as she clinched two extraordinary wins at Ellis Park (51/2 lengths) in June and another one in July at Saratoga (by 3 quarters).

Also read: 13-Year-Old Equestrian Enthusiast Pedals Her Way to Success, Raising Over $2,500 for Horse Sanctuary

In essence, after her staunch win at these equestrian events, Ward is extremely confident in Playlist’s skills and thinks she will run much faster and better in the event than in her previous races. John R. Velazquez, a hall of famer jockey with multiple accolades under his name, will be riding Playlist at this equestrian event.

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