Ry’s the Guy finds right distance in Champions Day Marathon

Lothenbach Stables’ Ry’s the Guy drove off in deep stretch Tuesday to post a 4 3/4-length victory in the $115,400 Champions Day Marathon Overnight Stakes and kick off Kentucky Derby week.

Trained by Ian Wilkes and ridden by Chris Landeros, Ry’s the Guy covered the mile and a half on a fast main track in 2:29.58 to break the track record of 2:30.42 established in this race last year by Sonneteer.

Returning to the main track for the first time since June 2019, Ry’s the Guy dueled with Eskenforit through fractions of :25.09, :49.46, 1:14.79 and 1:39.34. At the head of the lane, Ry’s the Guy put away Eskenforit and then shrugged off a minor challenge from Rated R Superstar to post his first stakes victory.

“He really relaxed well around the track, even with the pressure of (Eskenforit) to the outside for most of the running,” Landeros said. “He was able to have enough energy to kick home well to hold everyone else at bay.”

Ry’s the Guy is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Distorted Humor out of the Royal Academy mare Sleepytime (IRE). The victory was worth $71,358 and improved Ry’s the Guy’s earnings to $356,769 with a record of 15-3-3-2.

“He’s a horse that wants to go long, but the turf horses were just getting to him too quick,” Wilkes said. “If I can get some more of these marathon races it may help him.”

Ry’s the Guy returned $4. Rated R Superstar was ridden by Martin Garcia with Eskenforit finishing another three lengths back in third under Chantal Sutherland.

2019 Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston and Core Beliefs completed the field in order.

Racing continues Wednesday with a 10-race program beginning at 1 p.m. (all times EDT) that is headlined by the $150,000 Unbridled Sidney for fillies and mares going 5½ furlongs on the Matt Winn Turf Course.