Keeneland: Silver Knott scores for Appleby in Elkhorn Stakes

Silver Knott, prominent throughout, hit the front midway on the final turn en route to a 1 1/2-length victory in the 39th running of the Grade 2, $313,750 Elkhorn Stakes for 4-year-olds and up Saturday afternoon at Keeneland.

Silver Knott raced just off the flank of long shot Wentru through fractions of 24.04, 49.82, 1:16.36 and 1:40.22. Going into the final turn, Silver Knott went after Wentru and quickly established a daylight advantage that he carried into the stretch, where he never was threatened.

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The winner owned by Godolphin was ridden by Flavien Prat and trained by England-based Charlie Appleby, who will stable a small string of horses this summer at Saratoga. Silver Knott completed the 1 1/2-mile race on a firm turf course in 2:27.37.

A 4-year-old son of Lope de Vega out of the Nathaniel mare God Given, Silver Knott returned to Keeneland for the first time since he finished second, beaten by a nose, in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Making his first start of 2024, Silver Knott improved his record to 13: 4-2-4 and increased his earnings to $653,276 with Saturday’s $176,700 check. He rewarded his backers with payoffs of $13.52, $7.14 and $3.18.

Missed the Cut, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. to finish second, returned $5.66 and $2.64 and finished a neck in front of favored Bold Act, who paid $2.10 to show under Frankie Dettori. It was another 4 1/2 lengths back to King Curlin, who was followed in order by Highland Chief, Lucky Curlin, Wentru, Dynadrive and The Grey Wizard.