Keeneland Barn Notes: Phantom Currency Hopes to Cash In Saturday’s G2 Elkhorn

(Trainer Brian Lynch conditions Phantom Currency / Coady Photography & Courtesy of Keeneland)

From the Keeneland Media Team:

RECENT GRADED STAKES WINNERS PHANTOM CURRENCY, TWO EMMYS TOP FIELD OF NINE FOR SATURDAY’S ELKHORN (G2)

Susan and Jim Hill’s Phantom Currency and Wolfe Racing and Hugh Robertson’s Two Emmys top a field of nine horses entered Wednesday for Saturday’s 37^th running of the $350,000 Elkhorn (G2) for 4-year-olds and up going a mile and a half on the grass,

The Elkhorn will go as Saturday’s ninth race with a 5:16 p.m. ET post time. First post Saturday is 1 p.m.

Trained by Brian Lynch, Phantom Currency returned to the races after more than year layoff to post a wire-to-wire victory in the Appleton (G3) at Gulfstream Park on April 2. Prior to that, he won his only two starts of 2021 highlighted by a front-running score in the Mac Diarmida (G2).

Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount on Phantom Currency and will break from post position four.

Two Emmys comes into Saturday’s race off a 2½-length wire-to-wire victory in the Muniz Memorial Classic (G2) Presented by Horse Racing Nation at Fair Grounds on March 26. Winner of the Mr. D. (G1) last summer at Arlington, Two Emmys was caught at the wire here last fall in the Sycamore (G3) going the 1½-mile distance.

Trained by Mac Robertson, Two Emmys will be ridden by James Graham and break from post position three.

The field for the Elkhorn, with riders and weights from the rail, is: Bemma’s Boy (Umberto Rispoli, 118 pounds), Sole Volante (Julien Leparoux, 118), Two Emmys (Graham, 118), Phantom Currency (Ortiz Jr., 118), Channel Maker (Luis Saez, 118), Tiberius Mercurius (Tyler Gaffalione, 118),Cullum Road (Joe Rocco Jr., 118), Bama Breeze (Corey Lanerie, 118) and Another Mystery(Flavien Prat, 118).

SATURDAY’S BEN ALI ATTRACTS WELL-MATCHED FIELD OF EIGHT

Two-time Canadian Horse of the Year Mighty Heart, the multiple graded stakes-placed Proxy and Santa Anita Handicap (G1) runner-up Warrant headline a field of eight entered Wednesday for Saturday’s 91^st running of the Ben Ali (G3) for 4-year-olds and up.

The Ben Ali, run at 1 1/8 miles on the main track, will be run as the eighth race on Saturday’s 10-race program with a 4:44 p.m. ET post time. First post Saturday is 1 p.m.

Lawrence Cordes’ homebred Mighty Heart will be making his 2022 debut for trainer Josie Carroll. Winner of three stakes in 2021 and a four-time Sovereign Award winner, Mighty Heart has had six works since returning from a short layoff. His two most recent works were at Keeneland.

James Graham has the mount Saturday and will leave from post position two.

Godolphin’s homebred Proxy returned to the races following a 10½-month layoff with an allowance victory at Fair Grounds, which was followed by a runner-up effort to Olympiad in the New Orleans Classic (G2) on March 26.

Trained by Mike Stidham, Proxy chased the likes of Hot Rod Charlie, Mandaloun and Midnight Bourbon on the Kentucky Derby trail before a fourth-place finish in the Stonestreet Lexington (G3) in his final start of 2021.

Brian Hernandez Jr., who has been aboard Proxy for his two starts this year, has the call Saturday and will break from post position three.

Twin Creeks Racing Stable’s Warrant, beaten a head by Express Train in the Big Cap in his most recent start, closed his 2021 campaign with a victory in the Oklahoma Derby (G3). Trained by Brad Cox, Warrant will be ridden by Flavien Prat from post position five.

The field for the Ben Ali, with riders and weights from the rail, is: Cowboy Diplomacy (Colby Hernandez, 118 pounds), Mighty Heart (Graham, 120), Proxy (Hernandez Jr., 118), Dynamic One(Irad Ortiz Jr., 118), Warrant (Prat, 118), Tartufo (Rafael Bejarano, 118), Scalding (Javier Castellano, 118) and Title Ready (John Velazquez, 118).

LADY MYSTIFY SUPPLEMENTS INTO MAJOR CHALLENGE

Trainer and part-owner Peter Eurton was looking for a nice allowance race last weekend for Lady Mystify. However, the race did not fill and Eurton went to Plan B: supplementing Lady Mystify to Friday’s $300,000 Baird Doubledogdare (G3).

“I was just looking over the PPs and I didn’t know that Malathaat would be in there,” Eurton said, referring to the 2021 Eclipse Award winner as champion 3-year-old filly. “There are some nice fillies in there, and it is a good race. We are going to take a shot. We got a great draw (post six).”

Lady Mystify closed her 2021 campaign with a victory in the Remington Park Oaks (G3) and a runner-up finish in the Zia Park Oaks (L) to Grade 3 winner Pauline’s Pearl. After a brief freshening, Lady Mystify returned in the Azeri (G2) at Oaklawn Park on March 12 and chased another Eclipse Award winner in Ce Ce.

Eurton said Lady Mystify had a challenging week at Oaklawn.

“She kicked herself when we got there and we got that cleared up,” Eurton said, “and then she had a tough trip in the race. We are going to draw a line through that one and throw it out.”

Since arriving a Keeneland, Lady Mystify has had two sharp half-mile works with jockey Flavien Prat aboard. Prat, who rode Lady Mystify in her final two starts of 2021, has the mount Friday.

AUDREY’S TIME AIMING FOR BAIRD DOUBLEDOGDARE SHOCKER

Trainer Neil Pessin believes he has found the right level of competition for Lothenbach Stables’Audrey’s Time.

“I think she is a Grade 3/non-graded stakes filly,” Pessin said of the Keeneland sales graduate, one of six fillies and mares entered in Friday’s 27^th running of the $300,000 Baird Doubledogdare (G3) going a mile and sixteenth on the main track. “But there always seems to be one or two in there that she can’t beat. She is just a cut below that kind.”

In her most recent start, Audrey’s Time chased Grade 1 winner Clairiere in an allowance race at Fair Grounds. On Friday, she will take on Eclipse Award winner Malathaat, who will be making her 4-year-old debut.

“That’s one right there,” Pessin said of Malathaat. “I think she will be fully cranked (for her debut).”

Also in the Baird Doubledogdare field is defending champion Bonny South, who finished second and 3½ lengths in front of Audrey’s Time when they met in the Falls City (G2) last November.

“This is her home base, and you’ve got to run somewhere,” said Pessin of Audrey’s Time, who will break from post three under Corey Lanerie. “I have no delusions of grandeur, and I will be the most surprised person in the Grandstand if she wins.”

GALLOPING OUT

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone’s Grade 3 winner Sole Volante tuned up for Saturday’s Elkhorn (G2) by working a half-mile in company out of the gate with millionaire stablemate Diamond Oops in :48.20.

“He was fifth here in an allowance (on April 10), but a mile and a sixteenth is too short for him,” Biancone said. “The mile and a half is his game.”

Julien Leparoux was aboard Sole Volante for the work while Biancone was on Diamond Oops, who was fourth in the Shakertown (G2) on April 9.

“He will go to Churchill,” Biancone said of Diamond Oops. “Grass or dirt; we haven’t decided.”

Diamond Oops’ options are the $500,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) Presented by Sysco going 5½ furlongs on May 6 (a race he won in 2020) or the $750,000 Churchill Downs (G1) Presented by Ford going 7 furlongs on the main track on May 7.

PROBABLE FIELD FOR CLOSING-DAY BEWITCH

Entries taken Sunday. Race Friday, April 29.

$300,000 BEWITCH (G3) – Queen Goddess (trainer Michael McCarthy). Possible: Janelle Monae(BRZ) (Brad Cox), La Lune (GB) (Edward Vaughan), Stand Tall (Rusty Arnold). 

SPRING MEET WEEK 3 SPECIAL EVENTS

All year

Official Keeneland Tours. Visit keeneland.com/tours for availability and to purchase.

Every Wednesday

WINS-Day Challenge Sponsored by Malone’s. This is an inexpensive way for beginner handicappers to give contests a try. Enter for $10 at Wagering Central on the first floor of the Grandstand and place a mythical $2 win and place wager – no actual money required – on Keeneland races 3-8.

Every Friday and Saturday

The Hill. No ticket or reservation is required for Keeneland’s popular free tailgating area on The Hill, which is open Fridays and Saturdays and offers a unique way to experience the Spring Meet. Fans on The Hill can participate in the racing action via a jumbo TV and wagering, while food trucks and live music presented by The Burl create a festive atmosphere. Those who wish to elevate their tailgating experience can book a premium package that includes tent, tables, amenities, reserved area for the day and more with the Tailgate Guys “A REVELxp Company.” VisitKeeneland.com/tailgating for details.

Friday, April 22

Spring Handicapping Challenge. Available only at the track, the Spring Handicapping Challenge offers one berth to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) in November at Keeneland and as many as four spots to the 2023 National Handicapping Challenge. (NHC). Players will wager a live bankroll of $250 on any or all of the races at Keeneland. Click here to register and for more information. Contestants may enter until 12:45 p.m. the day of the contest.

Saturday, April 23

Sunrise Trackside. This morning program is geared toward families and offers a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. Children’s activities, located on the first-floor Grandstand from 8-10 a.m., include a meet and greet with Keeneland’s mascot, Buckles, along with face painting, games and more. Fans can enjoy coffee and donuts at Clockers Corner while watching horses train. Mini tours are available at the Welcome Stand in the Paddock. A 30-minute demonstration in the Walking Ring begins at 8:30 a.m..

Grade 1 Gamble. The signature handicapping contest of the Spring Meet is the Grade 1 Gamble, which Keeneland is hosting in cooperation with XpressBet, NYRABets, 4NJ Bets and TVG on the day of the Elkhorn (G2) and Ben Ali (G3). The entry fee is $3,500 with $2,500 going to a live bankroll and $1,000 to the prize fund. Contestants may play at Keeneland or on one of the aforementioned ADW platforms; Keeneland also will accept phone wagers from players residing in states or provinces that do not permit ADW wagering. Prizes include an estimated $75,000 for first place (based on 300 entries) and as many as six Breeders’ Cup Betting Contest berths and 10 National Handicapping Championship spots. Click here to register.

Sunday, April 24

Military Day at the Races. This event recognizes the men and women who serve our country. All active duty, reserve, veterans and military families receive free general admission and reserved Grandstand seating with a military I.D.

SPRING MEET LEADERS

Through April 16 (7 days of 15-day season)

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