Keeneland: Embur's Song wires Doubledogdare in record time

LEXINGTON, Ky. - For nearly a year, Embur's Song had failed to duplicate what she had done in her first two career starts - until Friday. With John Velazquez doling out her speed, Embur's Song led every step of the Grade 3, $100,000 Doubledogdare Stakes, setting a stakes and Polytrack record in the process.

Check the Label, a four-time graded winner on turf, rallied strongly down the short stretch of the 1 1/16-mile race to make a race of it before falling a neck shy. Washington Bridge, the 3-1 favorite in a field of 11 fillies and mares, finished in a dead heat for third with It's Tea Time.

Embur's Song, a 4-year-old Ontario-bred daughter of Unbridled's Song owned by Fares Farm, returned $21.20 as seventh choice after finishing in 1:41.62.

Embur's Song recorded Beyer Speed Figures of 99 and 97 in easily winning her first two starts last spring, including a 13-length triumph in her debut here last spring, before failing to win in four subsequent starts. With an April 2 turf tightener at Gulfstream Park under her belt, she relaxed soon after shooting to the early lead into the first turn.

"I could see down the backside she was into the bridle," said Pletcher. "I thought Johnny rode a great race."

Earlier in the day, Pletcher surpassed the $200 million earnings mark when Artisanal ($4.40) won the fifth race. Only his former boss, D. Wayne Lukas, and the late Bobby Frankel have more stable earnings among trainers all-time.

Ontrack attendance on a cloudy, mostly rainy day was 15,320. Velazquez also won the previous race, a $54,000 allowance route, aboard a 9-1 shot, Good Better Best.

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