Phantom Currency, Two Emmys Top Field Of Nine For 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 for the 37th running of the Grade 2, $350,000 Elkhorn Stakes for 4-year-olds and up going a mile and a half on the grass at Keeneland Racecourse on Saturday, April 23.

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).

Sole Volante Gallops for Grade 2 Elkhorn

APRIL 20 - 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.

Elkhorn Defending Champion Say The Word Among 33 Nominees

Agave Racing Stable and Sam-Son Farm's Say the Word, winner of last year's Elkhorn (G2), headlines a cast of 33 veteran grass marathoners for this year's renewal of the $350,000 race.

To be run Saturday, April 23, the Elkhorn is contested at 1½ miles.

Trained by Phil D'Amato, Say the Word has a Grade 1 victory in the 2020 Northern Dancer at Woodbine on his resume. Other Grade 1 winners among the nominees are Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R. A. Hill Stable and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing's Cross Border and Wolfe Racing and Hugh Robertson's Two Emmys.

Entries for the Elkhorn will be taken Wednesday, April 20.

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