Over a seven-furlong course, Frankie’s Empire proved to be the best in the $125,000 Swale Stakes, unexpectedly winning by 3 1/2 lengths after storming over the leaders with a five-wide lead around the turn. Frankie’s Empire went off at odds of 14-1 and swooped the field for the victory. The favorite Legalize, ridden by Luis Saez at 4-5 odds weakened during the stretch run and finished in last place.

Under Miguel Vasquez’s guidance, the 3-year-old son of Classic Empire out of the Dixie Union mare Donna D recorded a time of 1:24.22. Frankie’s Empire had last won in an Allowance Optional Claimer on December 26, 2023, at Parx before shipping down to Gulfstream. Frankie returned $30 to win. On his fourth try with stakes company, he won his first black-type race.

Le Dom Bro finished second followed by Grand Mo the First for third.

Congratulations to the connections of Frankie’s Empire!