L J’s Emma after her neck score in the Galway (Susie Raisher)
NYRA Press Office
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— John Gaynor’s L J’s Emma kept her winning turf form afloat in Saturday’s $150,000 Galway going 5 1/2 furlongs over the Spa’s Mellon turf course for trainer Eddie Kenneally, extending her win streak to three.
The 3-year-old Into Mischief bay broke cleanly but found herself mid-pack in sixth-of-10 in the early going. Jockey Luis Saez found running room near the rail, saving ground behind the fast pace of 22.26 seconds and 44.78 for the half set by Stone Silent. Just before the stretch call, Saez tipped his filly out wide and overtook everyone between him and the leader. Stone Silent dug in gamely in the final sixteenth, but L J’s Emma nailed her at the wire with a strong turn of foot. The neck score garnered a career-high 92 Beyer Speed Figure.
“He had to go a little wide. But Saez is a very, very good rider. He’s very good in the finish,” said Kenneally. “He’s just a super athlete and a very good rider. He rode her to perfection.”
L J’s Emma entered from a win versus allowance company on July 16 at Ellis Park after breaking her maiden on at Churchill Downs on June 2 – both 5 1/2 furlongs turf sprints.
“She was doing really well and we were happy with her going into it, but it was a deep field and we weren’t certain we were going to be good enough to get it done,” Kenneally explained regarding his 17-1 shot. “Thankfully, she ran her eyeballs out and is now a stakes winner.”
Kenneally confirmed L J’s Emma exited the race in good order and is currently shipping to Churchill Downs to get back to training, where she worked leading up to the Galway.
Kenneally said L J’s Emma could target the Grade 3, $1 million Music City, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies on September 2 at Kentucky Downs.
“That might suit her perfectly. Since we put her on the grass, she’s been improving all the time,” said Kenneally.
TSF Thoroughbred’s Mya’s Halo has been nominated to the $150,000 Bolton Landing here, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for juvenile fillies. The daughter of More Than Ready ran second on debut going that distance on July 16 over the Ellis Park green.
“She’s in good form. We’re looking at the Bolton Landing. We’re very high on her,” Kenneally said. “I think she’s nice, so the Landing is a possibility.”
Mya’s Halo was an $80,000 purchase at last year’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She has been breezing at Keeneland since her last start, most recently covering a half mile in 48.40 seconds on August 12.
