Two Emmys Brings Grade 1 Form to Sycamore
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coady Photography
Two Emmys wins the Mr. D. Stakes at Arlington International Racecourse
After upsetting leading turf male Domestic Spending in the Aug. 14 Mr. D. Stakes (G1T), formerly the Arlington Million, Two Emmys takes his graded form to Keeneland for the $150,000 Sycamore Stakes (G3T) Oct. 22.
The 5-year-old English Channel gelding made every pole a winning one in the Mr. D., holding off Domestic Spending by a neck to win at 27-1 odds. With James Graham up in the Arlington International Racecourse feature, Two Emmys set an easy pace of :26.12, :52.43, and 1:16.64 through six furlongs before a final time of 2:03.34 for the 1 1/4 miles.
He has two recent works on Keeneland's main track, including a :47 4/5 half-mile Oct. 18.
"He loves it here at Keeneland," trainer Mac Robertson said. "There are not many friendlier places than Keeneland for horses. There is a lot of grass, so he can graze. He likes to run on it, and he likes to eat it."
Video: Mr. D. S. (G1T)
The Mr. D. was the first stakes score for Two Emmys, who stretches out another quarter-mile for the 1 1/2-mile Sycamore, his first start since the Mr. D. On Friday in the three-turn race, Two Emmys will break from the outside, post 12, but appears to have the speed to clear most, if not all, of the horses to his inside. Graham will be back aboard.
Two Emmys is campaigned by Wolfe Racing and Hugh Robertson. His listed trainer for the Sycamore is Hugh's son, Mac. Both have been the listed as the gelding's trainer throughout his career.
"That is how we have done it for 20 years," Mac said. "When I am at Keeneland, the horses race in my name. In the winter they are in his name at Fair Grounds and my name at Oaklawn Park."
Along with Two Emmys, Spooky Channel will carry the co-high weight of 123 pounds in the Sycamore. The 10 other entries have been assigned 121 pounds.
NBS Stable's Spooky Channel is also a son of English Channel. The 6-year-old gelding won his seasonal debut in the Jan. 31 John B. Connally Turf Cup (G3T) at Sam Houston Race Park. Two starts later he was claimed for $80,000 in April at Churchill Downs. Last out, in his fourth start for trainer Jason Barkley, he rallied from 10th to capture the Sept. 26 Remington Green Stakes at Remington Park. Julien Leparoux, who has ridden the gelding nine times and won with him three times, including in the Connally Turf Cup, has the assignment from post 6.
Two Emmys may not be the only one aiming to get a prominent early position in the Sycamore. Lothenbach Stables' Ry's the Guy has been close to the front in his best efforts over the last year. The 5-year-old son of Distorted Humor cuts back an eighth-mile Friday from the restricted John's Call Stakes Aug. 25 at Saratoga Race Course. He was second through the first mile, had the lead down the stretch, and was just caught a half-length by Serve the King . On the dirt, Ry's the Guy led from gate to wire to land the 1 1/2-mile Champions Day Marathon Overnight Stakes Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at Churchill in September 2020. Ian Wilkes trains Ry's the Guy, who will be ridden by Chris Landeros from post 4.
The race also includes Glynn County , who was third three lengths behind Two Emmys in the Mr. D. and third beaten 1 1/2 lengths in the Sept. 11 Calumet Turf Cup (G2T) at Kentucky Downs. Graded stakes winner Sole Volante will be looking for his first win since an allowance-level race in June 2020 at Gulfstream Park.
Keeneland, Friday, October 22, 2021, Race 8Entries: Sycamore S. (G3T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Glynn County (KY)
Tyler Gaffalione
121
Michael J. Maker
7/2
2
2Ajourneytofreedom (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
121
Michael J. Maker
8/1
3
3Hierarchy (KY)
Reylu Gutierrez
121
Joe Sharp
10/1
4
4Ry's the Guy (KY)
Chris Landeros
121
Ian R. Wilkes
8/1
5
5Yamato (KY)
Joseph Talamo
121
Murat Sancal
15/1
6
6Spooky Channel (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
123
Jason Barkley
8/1
7
7Sole Volante (KY)
Florent Geroux
121
Patrick L. Biancone
20/1
8
8Breakpoint (CHI)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
121
Steven M. Asmussen
15/1
9
9Bama Breeze (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
121
George R. Arnold, II
12/1
10
10Another Mystery (IL)
Adam Beschizza
121
Chris M. Block
15/1
11
11Kentucky Ghost (KY)
Rafael Bejarano
121
Victoria H. Oliver
8/1
12
12Two Emmys (KY)
James Graham
123
McLean Robertson
3/1
