TIME TO DAZZLE (m, 5, Not This Time–Staria, by Unbridled's Song) came flying down the center of the Keeneland turf course Sunday to successfully defend her crown and win the GII Franklin Stakes for the second year running.Unable to find the winner's circle since this race one year ago, the Mark Casse runner was coming into form at the right time, entered Sunday off a pair of back to back runner-up efforts in both the GIII Hendrie Stakes on the Tapeta at Woodbine July 25 and most recently in the GI Ladies Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs Aug. 29, an effort which netted her her best Beyer Speed Figure (93) since her Franklin win in 2025.Racing over a course labeled as yielding for the first time in her career, Time to Dazzle broke with the leaders but was quickly taken in hand by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and dropped to the back, outrunning only Movin' On Up (Accelerate) as longshot Itzel (Mo Town) opened up a clear advantage up front through the first quarter in :22.47.Racing sixth of the seven onto the far turn, the 2-1 favorite still had plenty to do with Itzel hitting the quarter pole still alone on the lead and only Kehoe Beach (Omaha Beach) moving on the wet course to make a run.Still sixth inside the furlong marker, Time to Dazzle was absolutely motoring home, running up into third with less than a sixteenth to go while Kehoe Beach and Itzel both desperately sought the wire. Able to get up in time, the favorite got there when it mattered, denying Kehoe Beach by a bob of the head as Itzel settled for third in a final time of 1:04.52. Lifetime Record: 21-5-4-1.O-Tracy Farmer; B-Dr. Rodney Orr; T- Mark Casse. Sales History: $310,000 ylg '22 KEESEP. What a finish!! makes a fashionably late run and gets up to win the G2 Franklin S. at Keeneland!The 5y/o mare dazzles home under jockey @iradortiz for trainer @markecasse. https://t.co/1kRp7rsTxS— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) October 11, 2026The post Time To Dazzle Repeats In The Franklin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.