Her Emmynency Upsets QEII for Grade I Score

Twice a runner-up in previous grade I races, Her Emmynency would not be denied Oct. 10 as she held off Miss Temple City by a head in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (gr. IT) Presented by Lane's End at Keeneland.

Ike and Dawn Thrash's 3-year-old Successful Appeal   runner also withstood an ill-founded owner's objection from the connections of Miss Temple City, concerning some mild crowding in midstretch. The stewards let the result stand.

Coming off a second in the Aug. 15 Del Mar Oaks (gr. IT) for trainer Mike Stidham, Her Emmynency was overlooked at odds of 19-1 in a field of nine while Sands Point Stakes (gr. IIT) winner Sentiero Italia was the 7-10 favorite at post time. The Stidham trainee had been slated to run in the Sept. 12 Sands Point, but had an airport meltdown and refused to ship to New York.

"It may have worked in our favor because she had run such a big race in the Oaks, the little extra time may have been of benefit to her," Stidham said. "We'll probably give her a little break... Spring and summer for next year would be our goal... and then hopefully the Breeders' Cup next year."   

Florent Geroux launched Her Emmynency's move in the far turn after tracking second behind longshot Mizz Money, who led the way through opening fractions of :23.40, :47.30, and 1:12.16. Her Emmynency ran a mile in 1:36.62 and had just enough to hold off the runner-up, completing the 1 1/8-mile race in 1:48.84 on firm turf. Sentiero Italia was all out to get up for third.

"The race went very well," said Geroux. "She broke forwardly, and I was able to put her in good position right off the bat. From there, I just sat chilly and waited for horses to make a run at the top of the stretch. When I asked her turning for home, she gave me a good kick and she was very brave all the way to the end."

Jockey Drayden Van Dyke, rider of Miss Temple City, said checking cost him the race.

"It was great until we turned for home. I committed to going inside because there was space. Her Emmynency came down and I had to check," he said.

Her Emmynency paid $40, $15.20, and $6.40, Miss Temple City brought $8.60 and $3.60, and Sentiero Italia was worth $2.20. Olorda, Return to Grace, Blond Me, Prize Exhibit, Feathered, and Mizz Money completed the order of finish.

The winner was bred in Kentucky by S. D. Brilie, L.P. out of the Joyeux Danseur mare Chic Dancer and was a $115,000 purchase by her owners from the Denali Stud consignment at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale. She now has a record of four wins and two seconds from seven starts for earnings of $540,250.