NEWS
Cloudy’s Knight gets it done in Sycamore
Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009 7:42 PM
CLOUDY'S KNIGHT (outside)
PhotosByZ.com/Keeneland
To view the Sycamore Stakes,
click here
.
by Tim Nichols
Cloudy’s Knight uncoiled an explosive turn of foot in the final furlong that belied his age as he captured the $125,000 Sycamore Stakes (G3) on Thursday at Keeneland Race Course.
S J Stables’ nine-year-old Lord Avie gelding, the oldest horse in the filed, passed four rivals in the stretch and topped 9-to-5 favorite Winchester by a head for his second win in as many starts this year. Cloudy’s Knight entered off a 2½-length win in the Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes (G3) on September 19, his first start in more than a year.
Trained by Jonathan Sheppard, Cloudy’s Knight earned his fifth graded stakes victory and gave jockey Rosemary Homeister Jr. her first win at Keeneland. Cloudy’s Knight covered 1½ miles on firm turf in 2:30.87.
“He’s an amazing animal, he really is,” Sheppard said. “He’s absolutely huge, got a great stride. He’s got a great stride, and Rosemary seems to have a great rapport with him. All of this came together at the right time.”
Cloudy’s Knight was reserved in midpack by Homeister Jr. as Rumor Has It bolted to a 12-length lead through a half-mile in :48.19.
As Rumor Has It tired and fell back, Free Fighter seized the lead near the quarter pole while Cloudy’s Knight continued unhurried in ninth.
As the field turned for the wire, Yate’s Black Cat took the lead as Winchester and Cloudy’s Knight each launched their bids into contention. Cloudy’s Knight powered his way to victory on the outside as Grade 1 winner Winchester closed well but proved second best. Yate’s Black Cat held on for third.
“At the eighth pole, I thought I might be second or third,” Homeister said. “When Ramon Dominguez’s horse [Winchester] headed him, he just took off with him. He’s very game, aggressive, and he handled the turf course perfect.”
Cloudy’s Knight, winner of the 2007 Pattison Canadian International Stakes (Can-G1), improved to 12 wins in 38 career starts with earnings of $2,255,626. He is out of the Solar City mare Cloudy Spot.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Tim Nichols is internet content editor for Thoroughbred Times
