Bold Act wins the Sycamore in stakes record time under Jamie Spencer (Keeneland Photo)
Keeneland Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky.— 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.
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.
