Her Emmynency upsets the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup

Racing in second throughout the entirety of the race, aptly named Her Emmynency set just off a moderate pace before taking over in the far turn. With just enough left in the tank, the filly was able to hold off a late challenge from Miss Temple City, win the photo for the finish, and survive an inquiry to notch a huge victory in Keeneland's Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup.

With Robby Albarado aboard, Mizz Money utilized her rail post to go out for and establish the lead. Her Emmynency took up the second running position, followed by Prize Exhibit and Feathered. Miss Temple City settled into fifth with odds on favorite Sentiero Italia in sixth. Blond Me, Olorda, and Return to Grace rounded out the running order.

Running positions changed little throughout the early stages of the race while Mizz Money set a moderate pace. She put up the opening quarter in :23.40, the half in :47.30, and the first three-quarters in 1:12.16. Her Emmynency continued to sit just a ½-length behind her with Prize Exhibit shadowing that duo. Behind them, Sentiero Italia picked up a couple positions, but it was Her Emmynency that had the first jump in the turn.

With no resistance from Mizz Money, Her Emmynency was able to take over in the far turn and hit the top of the stretch with the lead. It was catch me if you can through the stretch, as Her Emmynency continued on the lead with her foes struggling to make headway against her. While Sentiero Italia essentially spun her wheels, Miss Temple City was managing to gain ground with each stride in deep stretch, but she just could not get there. Heads bobbing at the wire, it was Her Emmynency who managed to get her nose down first, winning the 1 1/8 mile prestigious race in 1:48.84.

The filly then had to survive an objection lodged by the owner of Miss Temple City. After reviewing the stretch run, the Keeneland stewards disallowed the objection and made the order of finish official.

Winning rider Florent Geroux thought things could not have gone better for him and Her Emmynency. “The race went very well. She broke forwardly, and I was able to put her in good position right off the bat,” he stated. “From there, I just sat chilly and waited for horses to make a run at the top of the stretch. When I asked her turning for home, she gave me a good kick and she was very brave all the way to the end.”

As to whether or not he knew he had won, Geroux said, “I was a little bit worried. I thought I had it, but I didn’t want to celebrate too early and get nailed at the wire. That’s why I was a little bit cautious and made sure Drayden (Van Dyke on Miss Temple City) didn’t come on at the end.”

Race favorite Sentiero Italia finished third, and Olorda completed the superfecta. Return to Grace, Blond Me, Prize Exhibit, Feathered and Mizz Money completed the order of finish.

Joel Rosario, who was aboard favored Sentiero Italia, offered no excuses for their third place finish. “She took a little bit of time to really get into the race and then finished well,” he said. “It looked like (Her Emmynency) kept on going. It was hard to catch them. I thought we were going to be a little closer. We’ll see what (owner Godolphin and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin) want to do (about running in the Breeders’ Cup), but she’s a nice filly.”

Off 19-1 odds, Her Emmynency paid $40.00/$15.20/$6.40. Miss Temple City, at 9-1 odds, returned $8.60/$3.60, and 4-5 favorite Sentiero Italia returned $2.20 for the show. The $2 exacta paid $265.40, the $2 trifecta returned $699.00 and the $2 superfecta was worth a cool $6,365.40.

By Successful Appeal and out of the Joyeux Danseur mare Chic Dancer, Her Emmynency was bred by S. D. Brilie, L.P. She was purchased by owners Ike and Dawn Thrash for $115,000 at the Keeneland 2013 September Yearling Sale. After twice finishing second in grade 1 events, the bay filly finally got her big breakthrough win with today’s upset in the QE II Challenge Cup. That pushed her career record to 7: 4-2-0 for purse earnings of $540,250.

Winning trainer Mike Stidham reiterated those losses after his charge’s victory. “She had two really tough defeats in Grade 1s previously (second to Sunset Glow in the 2014 Del Mar Debutante and second to Sharla Rae in the Del Mar Oaks in her last race), so this was well deserved for her,” he stated. “(Jockey) Florent (Geroux) did a great job.”

When asked whether Her Emmynency was improving, Stidham replied, “I really think so. From two to three, she’s come a long way in maturity. She’s a very nice filly.”