Keeneland: Bold Act rallies for triumph in Sycamore Stakes

Godolphin’s homebred Bold Act 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 Grade 3, $269,213 Sycamore Stakes for 3-year-olds and up Friday afternoon at Keeneland.

Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by Jamie Spencer, Bold Act completed the 1 1/2 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 win for Appleby.

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Bold Act became the third 3-year-old to win the Sycamore, joining Big Bend in 2017 and Mustanfar in 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 mid-stretch, diving between two horses and had a clear run to the wire that enabled him to get past Cellist. 

Bold Act is an Ireland-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 included 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 1 1/4 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.