TDN Rising Star for Declaration of War

Exciting young sire Declaration of War added a third stakes-winner to his tally with a brilliant victory in the $75,000 Pulpit Stakes at Gulfstream on Saturday for Speed Franco (2c Declaration of War x Nabat Seif, by Street Sense), who earned TDN Rising Star status for his performance.

Trained by Gustavo Delgado, Speed Franco showcased his potential when he crossed the wire first on debut at the same venue on September 23, but was disqualified to second for veering out in the stretch.

This time he led and controlled the race before dashing right away up the straight to win the one mile turf feature by a resounding six lengths. “First time out he won [and] was disqualified. But, we knew the talent was there, so we took the shot and entered him in this race,” said Gustavo Delgado Jr., his father’s assistant trainer. “Everything turned out in our favour today. You don’t see this too much, where the horse takes the lead on the grass and keeps going. We’re just very pleased, he’s a nice horse.” A $170,000 Keeneland September purchase, Speed Franco runs for the Grupo 7C Racing Stable and has quite a strong turf pedigree. He is the first winner for Nabat Seif, a half-sister to triple European Group I winner Ajabr from dual French Group I winner Sierra Madre.

Speed Franco is the third stakes-winner for Declaration of War and is his first in North America.