Dettori Sweeps Penn Mile and Penn Oaks Via Photo Finish

Born in Italy and a multiple champion rider in England, Frankie Dettori had never ridden at Penn National Race Course before May 31. He made an incredible first impression, sweeping the $400,000 Penn Mile Stakes (G3T) and the $150,000 Penn Oaks, winning both races via photo finish with impeccably timed rides.

In the Penn Mile, Dettori and his mount First World War  bided their time in sixth place early between horses as American Turf Stakes (G2T) upset winner Trikari  and Cutler Bay Stakes winner Set  battled through fractions of :23.09, :46.31, and 1:09.56.

Qatar Racing and Hunter Valley Farm’s First World War fanned six wide turning for home and gradually gained on the leaders. Amerman Racing’s Trikari had won the pace duel, but Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Aspenite  snuck up the rail inside of him to challenge for the win.

First World War briefly stuck on his left lead, but the 3-year-old War Front   colt caught the leaders one stride before the wire and won a three-way head bob at the line. The photo showed First World War won by a nose over Aspenite. It was a neck back to Trikari in third. Final time for one mile over the firm turf was 1:33.50.

It was the second graded victory for the Brendan Walsh trainee First World War, who won the Kitten’s Joy Stakes (G3T) Feb. 3 at Gulfstream Park.

First World War is out of the winning grade 3-placed Medaglia d’Oro   mare Sundaysatthebeach .

One race earlier in the the Penn Oaks, 53-year-old Dettori and Poolside With Slim  broke on top from the inside post in the field of 10 3-year-old fillies, but surrendered the lead to Resolute Racing’s Pounce , who set fractions of :23.14, :47.21, and 1:10.44.

Dettori rated the 3-year-old Churchill  filly, covered up along the rail just behind the leader, until the stretch run.

Poolside With Slim, trained by George Arnold II, took over with a burst and just held on against a fast-closing Nice as Pie  to win by a head. Pounce held on for third another 2 3/4 lengths back. The final time for a mile on firm turf was 1:33.59.

Bred in Ireland by Kilweelran and owned by Glenn S. “Bo” Bromagen II, Sandra Bromagen, and Patrick Lewis, Poolside With Slim was purchased by Bo Bromagen for $105,700 at the 2022 Goffs Orby Yearling Sale. The winner is out of the unraced Epaulette  mare Kissepal (IRE).