Emery Wins Opening Race in 3-Year-Old Campaign at Keeneland

Emery, a 3-year-old filly, began her campaign with a 5 1/4 length victory at Keeneland, marking her second win in three starts.

– ‣ Emery, a 3-year-old filly by More Than Ready out of Athena, won her first race of the 3-year-old campaign by 5 1/4 lengths at Keeneland.
– ‣ This victory marks Emery’s second win in three starts, following a fourth-place finish in the GI Frizette S. during the Belmont at the Big A meet.
– ‣ Emery is owned by Stonestreet Stables LLC, was bred by Mary K. Grum in Kentucky, and is trained by Brad H. Cox.

#3 EMERY ($3.08) pulled away to win race 6 at Keeneland under a handride from @Tyler_Gaff for trainer @bradcoxracing.

This is the second win in three starts for the @StonestreetFarm runner, who was last seen finishing fourth in the GI Frizette in October. pic.twitter.com/zSBUACxRes

— TVG (@TVG) April 19, 2024

Emery kicked off her 3-year-old campaign with a bang, clinching a win at Keeneland. It was Friday, April 19, 2024, a day that seemed just perfect for racing. The clock struck 4:44 pm, and the atmosphere was electric.

Coady Photography captured the moment, freezing it in time. The race, a $110,000 Allowance with an optional claiming price of $100,000, was set over 6 furlongs. Emery, a dark bay filly with eyes full of fire, was the one to watch.

Her pedigree is something to marvel at. Sired by More Than Ready and out of Athena (by Street Sense), she’s racing royalty. Athena, her dam, has already made a name for herself, boasting earnings of $459,222. And now, Emery was ready to add to that legacy.

Last summer, she broke her maiden at Saratoga, splashing through the mud to win by 5 3/4 lengths. But her journey wasn’t without its hurdles. She faced a tough crowd at the GI Frizette S. during the Belmont at the Big A meet, finishing fourth in a challenging race.

But here she was at Keeneland, the 1-2 favorite, ready to show the world what she’s made of. The race began, and Emery found herself tracking the pacesetter, Rhapsody. But as the race heated up, she got shuffled back. It looked grim for a moment there.

Yet, as they hit the eighth pole, something magical happened. Emery found her second wind, shifting off the rail and onto the two path. With a burst of speed, she left her competitors in the dust, crossing the finish line 5 1/4 lengths ahead.

The crowd went wild. Emery’s team, Stonestreet Stables, couldn’t contain their joy. Brad H. Cox, her trainer, knew they had a star in their midst. And Tyler Gaffalione, her jockey, just rode the race of his life.

After the race, Twitter was ablaze with congratulations. Emery’s victory was a testament to her spirit and determination. And with a lifetime record of 3-2-0-0 and earnings of $149,098, this filly is just getting started.

But let’s not forget about Athena, Emery’s dam. She’s been busy too, recently purchased by Stonestreet for $130,000 while in foal with a filly by Improbable. And she’s visited Good Magic for this term. The future looks bright for this family.

As for Emery, this win at Keeneland is just the beginning. The racing world is watching, and many are wondering, what’s next for this rising star? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – Emery is a name we won’t soon forget.