Phantom Currency ends layoff with Appleton Stakes triumph

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Phantom Currency came back off a 13 1/2-month layoff in the same form he was last seen flashing, making all the pace under Irad Ortiz Jr. and holding on for a half-length victory over Wolfie’s Dynaghost in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Appleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Phantom Currency was making his first start since he won the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida here in February 2021. He came out of that race with a soft tissue injury that needed plenty of time to recover. Trainer Brian Lynch brought Phantom Currency back slowly and said he was using this as a prep for the Grade 3, $350,000 Elkhorn Stakes going 1 1/2 miles at Keeneland on April 23.

On Saturday, under Irad Ortiz Jr., Phantom Currency was hustled to the front and maintained a length advantage over Carpenter’s Call through what looked to be decent fractions, though none were available due to a timing issue that has plagued this meet all winter.

Entering the far turn, Carpenters Call seemed to get closer, but Ortiz hadn’t let Phantom Currency out yet. When he did, Phantom Currency spurted clear and then had enough to hold off a hard-trying Wolfie’s Dynaghost, who was coming up the rail under Jose Ortiz.

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“I thought he looked comfortable every jump of the way, and when he asked him to quicken he dropped down and kicked it in,” Lynch said. “I didn’t think he’d come back and fire like he did. I thought there might have been a little bit more speed in there, but unbelievable ride by Irad and look, it was a gutsy effort off the year layoff.”

Phantom Currency, a 6-year-old gelding by Goldencents owned by Jim and Susan Hill, covered the mile in a hand-timed 1:34.48 and returned $7.40 as the 5-2 favorite. Phantom Currency was given a 94 Beyer Speed Figure.

Wolfie’s Dynaghost, who has typically raced on the front end, was an up-close third and on the inside. He never could get out, but he continued to try along the rail, falling a half-length short of Phantom Currency while finishing a half-length in front of Carpenters Call.

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“I thought we got stuck inside a little bit too long, but he finished up good and made a nice run at them,” said Tom Albertrani, trainer of Wolfie’s Dynaghost.

Finishing behind Wolfie’s Dynaghost, in order, were Gray’s Fable, English Bee, Noble Indy, Order and Law and Scarlett Sky, who bore out down the backstretch.