Revved Up uses late burst of speed to score Sycamore win.
Revved Up was revved up. He wanted to run the entire 12 furlongs of the $163,800 Sycamore Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. IIIT) on Keeneland's opening day.Jockey Garrett Gomez had favored Revved Up sitting just off the pace under a snug hold and, when he unleashed the 8-year-old gelding down the stretch, he powered home an easy two-length winner under clear skies in Lexington.It was the first day of Polytrack at Keeneland, but the first stakes was on the grass and Revved Up won his first race at the track. A son of Sultry Song, he has won 16 of 33 starts for Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Plantation, which bred him in Florida. He is trained by Christophe Clement. Friday's victory was worth $101,556.Lord Carmen and Ramazutti battled on the lead for much of the running as Porfido, Revved Up, and Rush Bay were sitting just behind the leaders. The first time under the wire, Revved Up was on the outside and eager to run, but Gomez got him to settle into an easy stride on the outside.The field went six furlongs in 1:17.15 and a mile in 1:42.42, with Revved Up and Gomez just biding their time. Rush Bay, who usually shows speed, was further back than usual.In the turn, Revved Up moved on the leaders and showed a burst of speed to hit the front as the field passed the eighth pole. Rush Bay came on for second by 1 3/4 lengths over Always First, who closed for third by a neck over Big Prairie.Revved Up paid $7.20, $3.60, and $3 while Rush Bay, ridden by Rafael Bejarano, returned $4.80 and $3.40. Always First and Alex Solis was worth $4.20 to show.Revved Up ran the 1 ½-mile in 2:29.83. It was the second straight stakes win for the gelding, who won the Bob Harding at Monmouth Sept. 9.Ramazutti finished fifth, followed by Louve Royale, Porfido, Rochester, Lord Carmen and Single Mon.(Chart, Equibase)
