Phantom Currency Pays Off in Mac Diarmida Stakes

Goldencents  was a precocious horse who flourished in middle distances on dirt and synthetic, taking the Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (G3) a 2 before in subsequent years adding the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and two runnings of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

His son Phantom Currency needed more time and longer races to get a groove, not racing in stakes until his 4-year-old season. Now 5 and racing on turf, he has stepped up his game even further, notching his first black-type victory Feb. 27 with a three-quarter of a length victory over Tide of the Sea in the $200,000 Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2T) at Gulfstream Park.

As he had in a previous win in a Jan. 13 allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream, Susan and Jim Hill's Phantom Currency took charge early on Saturday, which proved key in his mild upset of favored Tide of the Sea, frontrunning winner of the William L. McKnight Stakes (G3T). Phantom Currency was able to gain his preferred running position up front, while the former grew rank when the pace slowed passing the grandstand for the first time.

The duo then raced 1-2 virtually from start to finish in the 1 3/8-mile turf contest, and though Phantom Currency was headed midway down the backstretch, jockey Paco Lopez had enough to turn back Tide of the Sea and jockey Tyler Gaffalione. The winner, who carried 120 pounds, four less than the favorite, raced the distance in 2:13.84 on firm turf following splits of :49.08, 1:14.62 and 1:38.40.

"He wanted to run off a little bit the first quarter," said Lopez. "The second quarter I got a hold of him and he got comfortable. I was on the rail and I waited. (Tide of the Sea) passed me a little bit but I was confident I had a lot of horse and in the stretch he got away from them."

Moon Over Miami rallied for third, edging fourth-place Temple, who hung after making a menacing bid in early stretch. Sir Sahib, Admission Office, Basha, and Aquaphobia completed the field of eight.

Winning trainer Brian Lynch, who also started Admission Office, said he was pleased to see Phantom Currency setting the pace. 

"I'm very proud of him. He's been an overachiever, this horse," Lynch said. "He obviously likes this track and he's very dangerous when he's left alone."

Bred in Kentucky by Sally Thomas and New Dawn Stable, Phantom Currency ($15.60) became the first stakes winner for the Mr. Greeley mare Phantom Rising, who has three winners, all making six figures, from five foals to start. She also has a 3-year-old Kantharos  colt named Kawhi Me a River, second in his lone start against maiden special weight company at Aqueduct Jan. 7, and an unnamed Tonalist  yearling colt.

Phantom Currency was purchased for $260,000 by his owners from the Paramount Sales consignment at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He has earned $314,355 while compiling a 5-for-14 record.