Friday's Best Bet: Lull the one to beat in Franklin County Stakes

Friday's 9th race from Keeneland (10-13-17) is the Grade 3 Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes for fillies and mares dashing five and one-half furlongs on the turf course. 

#6 LULL (5-1) exits a smart stalk/pounce turf sprint stakes win at Kentucky Downs. Last fall, she followed up at Kentucky Downs turf sprint stakes win with a place finish in the local G3 Jessamine and she drilled a Belmont bullet for this Oct 3. Hernandez rides her well and she projects a tactical trip.

#7 Morticia (4-1) finished 3rd in the same race Lull exits and she is 4-for-4 at this distance on turf. She was 2nd in her lone local turf try in the G3 Appalachian April 13 and that flat mile affair was a bit beyond her reach.

#4 Kasuga (4-1) is 2-for-2 at this distance and is quick enough to seize control early. Mott’s sharp mare faces better but might not look back under Leparoux.

#1 Miss Ella (7-2) won this race last year and her odds might inflate after she finished up the track after a bad start as the heavy favorite at Laurel. She fired Exacta shots in 5 of 6 starts at this distance and will try to get involved late.

#2 Justa Lady (10-1) fired Exacta shots in her last five turf sprints including a $50k stakes win at Louisiana Downs Sept 9. Asmussen’s filly might be sharp enough to step up and compete with these under Santana.

Trifecta 4-6-7/1-2-4-6-7/1-2-4-6-7