PRESTBURY PARK, England--Bruton Street V's Franco de Port finished third in the $90,000 Glenfarclas Chase, a cross country chase for 5 year olds and up, on March 15 at the Cheltenham Festival, England's biggest steeplechase meet that features a week of top grade races.

Franco de PortIt's such a renowned race meet that it's always a big deal to hit the board in one of its races.

Gordon Elliot, one of Ireland's top trainers, saddled both the winner, Delta Work, ridden by Keith Donoghue, and the second placed Galvin, ridden by Davey Russell, while Willie Mullins, Ireland's leading trainer, saddled Franco de Port, ridden by P.W. Mullins.

This was Donoghue's fourth win the this race, which had 16 starters this year.

"He gave a good account of himself," said Charlie Fenwick, a partner in Bruton Street along with Mike Hankin and Charlie Noell.

"The two winners were the clear favorites in the race, and Franco de Port was the third favorite, and that's the way they finished," said Fenwick. "We were pleased with him."

Bruton Street, National Steeplechasing's Leading Owner in 2022, has had countless winners in this country, but it's the first time the stable has had a horse hit the board at Cheltenham.

 

GRAHAM MOTION saddled RyZan Sun Racing and Madaket Stable's Mission of Joy to win the $200,000, G3 Florida Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/6 miles on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs on March 11.

Mission of Joy settled in the middle of the pack, swung six wide on the last turn. dueled to the wire and won by a neck

McLANE HENDRIKS saddled his mother Elizabeth Merryman's Witty to win a $55,000, six furlong Allowance Optional Claiming race at Parx on March 8.

Witty started a bit slow, raced off the pace, kicked clear in the stretch and won by 3/4 length.

BERNIE HOUGHTON trained Joseph Viviana's Morgans Cove to win an $18,100, 6 furlong Maiden Claiming Race for 3-year-old fillies  at Penn National on March 10.

Going four wide on the turn, Morgans Cove drew away to win by 4 1/2 lengths.

Houghton also claimed Memphis Mafia for $5,000 for Daniel Lunceford  on March 8 at Penn National.

BROOKLYN STRONG, by Wicked Strong who stands at Dr, Solomon's Pin Oak Lane Farm in New  Freedom, Pa., finished third in an $87,000 Allowance race at Gulfstream on March 15.

This was Brooklyn Strong's first race this year, and he now has three wins and six thirds from 15 starts and $301,880 in earnings.