Kueber Racing's Emro, who won her debut at Ellis Park, ran her record to 2-for-2 in taking the $400,000 Untapable Stakes at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Ky., a race for 2-year-old fillies the daughter of Point of Entry captured in dominant fashion by 2 3/4 lengths over Taylor's Tourist after a strong stretch run from off the pace under Shaun Bridgmohan.
“I was very proud of her,” said winning trainer Brad Cox. “She's been training well, obviously. She got it done first time out, and we've been pointing for this since she broke her maiden. Very, very happy with the performance and Shaun did a good job.”
After breaking cleanly from the far outside post 11 in the 6 1/2-furlong race on the turf, Emro was reserved in sixth position by Bridgmohan down the hill, 7 1/2 lengths from the front, into the sweeping turn. As the bunched field turned for home, Emro was six wide and 4 1/2 lengths off the pace but made short work of her competition from there. She narrowly led with an eighth of a mile remaining and prevailed by 2 3/4 lengths going away over a course rated good.
“They looked like they were going a little quick and they were spread out around the turn,” said Cox, who on Saturday won the $1-million, Grade 3 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup with Arklow. “So I thought, well, they were going quick enough and we were laying in the middle of the pack, so I thought we were in a good spot. Then when she came off the turn, it looked like when Shaun asked her to pick it up, she wanted to duck in behind a horse. He straightened her up. She ran on, looks like she was clearing off and then she dropped back in. Obviously still green and has a lot to learn, but very talented filly that we think has a big future.”
The 7-1 fourth betting choice, Emro was timed in 1:16.31. Emro rocketed her earnings from $25,800 to $261,400 after adding the winner's share of $235,600. The final value of the race was $398,500.
“She ran very well, very talented filly,” Bridgmohan said. “She's 2 for 2. Last time she went to the lead. Today she came from off it. It shows her versatility. She ran a nice race.”
Taylor's Tourist, who was 10th and last at the first call under Florent Geroux, proceeded to pass every horse in the field but one. Behind her at the finish in third, beaten 5 3/4 lengths, was early pacesetter Fouzia, who was a neck better than Mad Maddy in fourth. Initial fractions were a torrid 21.48 seconds for the first quarter-mile and 45.15 seconds for four furlongs.
“She ran big,” Geroux said of Taylor's Tourist, who had won her debut by 9 3/4 lengths at Louisiana's Evangeline Downs. “She ran a pretty fast race first time out. But that was dirt. Now she switched to the turf, nobody really knew if she was going to like it. She's a very nice filly, galloped out strong. She was a little bit lost the first quarter-mile, couldn't get out and involved in the race. But she finished very nice.”
The top four were followed in order by Lady Edith, Lady Goldstart, 9-5 favorite Red Ghost, Herald Angel, Kewpie Doll and Becca's Bouquet. The field of 11 was effectively reduced to 10 when La Libertee stumbled badly leaving the gate, unseating Adam Beschizza.
“I'm fine,” Beschizza said back at the jockeys' room. As far as what happened, “I have no idea. Sometimes they don't catch themselves properly. She's a 2-year-old. She's a very sharp 2-year-old. She's always ready at any given moment. She probably rushed the start a little bit and couldn't catch any of her legs. Listen, she's got a bright little year ahead of her, what's left of it. She seemed to be unscathed, touch wood. She didn't go crazy running loose by herself.”
Payoffs were ample, with Emro rewarding her $2 backers $16.80 to win, $9.00 to place and $7.40 to show. Taylor's Tourist paid $21.20 and $14.60 to place and show, and Fouzia returned $8.40 to show.
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