Godolphin's homebred Bold Act (IRE) split horses passing the eighth pole and collared the pace-setting Cellist in deep stretch to post a three-quarters of a length victory in the 29th running of the $269,213 Sycamore (G3) for 3-year-olds and up Friday afternoon on College Scholarship Day at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.
Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by Jamie Spencer, Bold Act completed the 1½ miles on a firm turf course in a stakes-record 2:28.08. The previous record of 2:28.81 was established in 2020 by Red Knight. It is the first Keeneland victory for Spencer and fourth Keeneland stakes victory for Appleby.
Bold Act became the third 3-year-old to win the Sycamore, joining Big Bend (2017) and Mustanfar (2004).
Cellist led the field through fractions of :24.93, :50.39, 1:15.16 and 1:40.32 while being unopposed on the front end as Spencer gave Bold Act a ground-saving trip while running seventh.
At the top of the stretch, Cellist maintained a daylight advantage while Bold Act was moving off the rail and looking for running room. He found it at midstretch, diving between two horses, and had a clear run to the wire that enabled him to get past Cellist.
Bold Act is an Irish-bred son of New Approach out of the Dubawi mare Dancing Sands. In posting his first graded stakes victory, Bold Act improved his record to 12-6-2-2 and increased his earnings to $331,470 that includes Friday's $141,438 check.
Sent off as the favorite in the field of 12, Bold Act returned $7.76, $4.84 and $3.90. Cellist, ridden by Martin Garcia, returned $13.60 and $8.56 and finished a neck in front of Limited Liability, who paid $4.76 to show under John Velazquez.
It was another 1¼ lengths back to Red Run, who was followed in order by Tawny Port, Red Knight, Therapist, Highest Honors, Shawdyshawdyshawdy, Kitodan, Channel Maker and Another Mystery.
Racing continues Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET with a 10-race program highlighted by the 40th running of the $600,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana. The QE II goes as the ninth race with a 5:16 p.m. post time.
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