A Freud of Mama wins Franklin Square going away

By Sarah Mace

As a newly-turned 3-year-old, William Butler’s homebred A Freud of Mama picked up right where she left off at two: with a stakes victory at the Big A. Last seen on December 29 springing a 23-1 upset in the lucrative Fifth Avenue division of the New York Stallion Stakes series, the namesake of her sire Freud wheeled back in three weeks to win the $100,000 Franklin Square for New York-bred sophomore fillies going away.

A Freud of Mama (5-1) got away a beat slow from post five (of six) to go 6 1/2 furlongs under Jorge Vargas, Jr., who had the repeat call from trainer Mike Maker, but wasted no time getting into position. She advanced confidently between horses and tugged her way up into third in the three-path. Three lengths up ahead, 4-5 favorite Fierce Lady showed the way, a length ahead of 5-2 second choice Big Q who applied steady pressure.

As Big Q advanced to hook Fierce Lady in the far turn, A Freud of Mama enjoyed a ground-saving trip before tipping out widest of all for the stretch drive.

In upper stretch Big Q got the better of Fierce Lady, but A Freud of Mama, closing fast, made their battle moot. She cruised right by both and opened up, going on to win by a dominant six lengths with ears pricked.

Big Q was a clear second, while 2 1/4 lengths back 18-1 Firenze Freedom won a photo for third over Fierce Lady. Playtone and Violent Point brought up the rear. Following early splits of 22.39 and 46.52 over the fast – if snowy – going, A Freud of Mama stopped the timer at 1:19.15 after 6 1/2 furlongs. [VIDEO REPLAY[2]]

Winning rider Jorge Vargas, Jr. was impressed. “Today, she really proved to me that she wants to be a good horse,” the pilot said. “I was behind horses and she was taking me places. Whenever I got a seam, she went for it. I really loved it. She’s still a little nervous but she’s getting there. She wants to be a good horse and she’s proven it. She likes coming off the pace.”

A Freud of Mama made her first four starts on turf, including a Belmont graduation at second asking on September 13, which she followed up with a creditable third in the Grade 3 Matron on October 5. She is now a perfect two-for-two dirt, once over a muddy Aqueduct track for her 1 1/2-length Fifth Avenue victory, and over a fast track Saturday for her romp in the Franklin Square.

A Freud of Mama has now won three of six starts with one third and has earned $399,818. She is one of four winners from four foals to start out of Mama Theresa, who was purchased by William Butler for $65,000 at the OBS Spring sale of 2-year-olds.

Bred in New York by Barry Weisbord and Margaret Santulli, Mama Theresa was a multiple stakes-placed runner on dirt and a half-sister to two-time New York Horse of the Year and sire Haynesfield. She has an unnamed juvenile filly by Stay Thirsty and was bred last year to Sharp Azteca.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2020/01/18/a-freud-of-mama-franklin-square/

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