Exotics Plays for the Elkhorn Stakes

An overflow field of 13 turf marathoners will travel 1 1/2 miles on the Keeneland lawn in Saturday’s $350,000 Elkhorn S. (G2). The contest attracted a deep field of talented, yet inconsistent, runners in what makes this a challenging contest to handicap. 

Elkhorn Exotics

• $2 trifecta key 9 with 1,2,6,11 ($24)
• 50-cent trifecta 6,9 with 1,2,6,9,11 with 1,2,6,9,11 ($12)
• 50-cent superfecta 6,9 with 6,9 with 1,2,11 with 1,2,11 ($6)
• 10-cent superfecta 6,9 with 6,9 with 1,2,11 with all ($5.40)

Multiple Grade 3 winner #9 Missed the Cut (6-1) was second in this tilt last season and he is a horse that I like to be right there late under John Velazquez. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the Quality Road bay was in over his head in his 2024 finale at Royal Ascot, and he made a belated run in his seasonal debut at Gulfstream Park following a tardy break from the gate. The six-year-old has worked well since that effort, however, including a pair of solid half-mile moves at this venue in advance of Saturday. I like his running style for this particular race, and the Kentucky-bred has every right to improve in his second performance off the long absence, as well. 

Morning-line choice #6 Limited Liability (8-5) is a proven stayer on the sod and will be tough with a top effort for conditioner Shug McGaughey. A two-time winner from three prior runs at Keeneland, the gelded son of Kitten’s Joy missed by a neck when third in the McKnight S. (G3) at Gulfstream in his 2025 bow and wouldn’t need major improvement off of that to be a menacing figure in this spot. The gray has tactical speed and will always be in striking range beneath Frankie Dettori. 

Beyond my top duo, I will dabble with a trio of additional horses with my wagers. #11 Idratherbeblessed (20-1) upset the Muniz Memorial S. (G2) at Fair Grounds last time at a whopping 86-1, but the five-year-old was not a fluke, in my opinion. Trained by Chris Hartman, the son of Unified is no sure thing at 12 panels, but his form is quite good, and the Kentucky-bred might also be the controlling speed in the group, too. Ben Curtis has the call. 

#1 Rebel Run (8-1) was third in the Red Smith S. (G2) at Aqueduct in his 2024 finale in his lone prior run at a marathon distance, and he also closed from last to be an allowance winner in his most recent run at this venue, as well. Also from the DeVaux shedrow, the son of Frankel will have Jose Ortiz in the stirrups. 

Grade 2 victor #2 Grand Sonata (4-1) was second by a head in the Mac Diarmida S. (G2) at Gulfstream in his latest appearance and the Todd Pletcher trainee is surely among the major threats in the group. Junior Alvarado will guide the son of Medaglia d’Oro.

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