Saratoga: Silver Knott sets course record in Bowling Green

Silver Knott was golden every step of the way to win his third consecutive race at the Grade 2 level in a 1 3/8-mile, inner-turf course-record time of 2:11.03 in Sunday’s $250,000 Bowling Green Stakes at Saratoga.

Trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, Silver Knott entered off back-to-back Grade 2 victories, taking the 1 1/2-mile Elkhorn in April at Keeneland ahead of a decisive score last-out in the 1 3/8-mile Man o’ War in May at Belmont at the Big A. With Sunday’s impressive score, the 4-year-old Lope de Vega gelding made his presence as a turf marathoner further known.

Click here for Saratoga entries and results.

Alex Merriam, assistant to Appleby, said the classy bay looked comfortable in the record-setting performance. 

“He got pestered on the lead there, so he went quick enough, course record. So it shows it was a pretty good performance really on the front end,” Merriam said. “Back in England we’re not big on the clock back home, so it’s a bit different, but he looked to be comfortable in himself.”

Piloted by Flavien Prat, Silver Knott broke in front from post 2 and was tracked by Ohana Honor from the inside post and Strong Tide from the outermost post 5. Neither of those rivals had the early foot to keep up with Silver Knott, who set an opening quarter-mile of 24.45 seconds over the firm turf. 

“There was not much pace in the race. I thought he was the best horse. I didn’t want to get trapped and have it turn into a turf sprint,” Prat said of the early advantage. “I thought I was going to get an easy lead, but I got pressure during the race, but he was comfortable on the lead, and he responded when I asked him to make a run.”

As Silver Knott entered the stretch for the first time, Prat took a peek back and saw he had company in Grade 1-placed Ohana Honor with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. The rest of the field was very strung out as Silver Knott led under a tight hold through a half-mile in 47.98 seconds.

Around the clubhouse turn Silver Knott continued to show the way as the rest of the field crept closer through three-quarter of a mile in 1:12.98. As the field traveled up the backside towards the half-mile pole, 15-1 long shot Strong Tide moved closer into contention in third position, and Soldier Rising was asked to pick it up from fourth by Jose Ortiz. 

After Silver Knott covered one mile in 1:36.45, Ohana Honor’s day was done. Strong Tide battled on, and Soldier Rising geared up along the rail for his usual late run. At the top of the lane Prat sat chilly aboard the pacesetter as Ortiz begged Soldier Rising to go by Strong Tide in his first effort since November.

“Turning for home I kind of took my time to ask him to make a run, and he responded very well,” Prat said. “I looked at the screen, and they were still right behind me. I was a bit confused, because I thought I was opening up on the field, but then I looked again, and we were opening up.”

With an eighth of a mile remaining, after 1 1/4 miles in 1:59.39, Prat let Silver Knott loose, and he finished a much-the-best, 2 1/2-length winner in 2:11.03, easily eclipsing the previous record of 2:11.46 set by White Rose in the 2015 Glens Falls (G3). 

Soldier Rising was a neck better than Strong Tide for place honors, marking his 11th runner-up finish and his fourth straight. Ohana Honor and English Conqueror completed the order of finish. Sugoi and Strong Quality were scratched.

Merriam said he wasn’t sure about a potential start in the $750,000 Sword Dancer (G1) on Aug. 24 at Saratoga due to the Appleby-conditioned, last-out Manhattan (G1) winner Measured Time being pointed there. 

He suggested the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) in September at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet may be more in play.

“Measured Time is in the Sword Dancer, maybe we’ll look at the Joe Hirsch. We’ll see how he comes out of it,” said Merriam. 

Ortiz said Christophe Clement-trained Soldier Rising was game to place in his first effort since a second in the Red Smith (G2) in November at Aqueduct.

“A very good effort. Made a move, and he hung on for second. He was coming off the layoff, so I’m very happy with the effort today,” Ortiz said. “The winner broke great, and he took command, so second best. Good job by Christophe. The horse was ready to run this distance. He’s a nice horse, but we need to get him to the wire first.” 

Bred in Great Britain by St Albans Bloodstock, Silver Knott is the first progeny out of the Group 1-winning Nathaniel mare God Given, a half-sister to four-time Group 1-winning multimillionaire Postponed.

He banked $137,500 in victory while improving his record to 15: 6-2-4 and returning $2.80 for a $2 win bet as the post-time favorite. The win put him above the $1 million mark in career earnings.