Elkhorn (Grade 2)- $400.000 Purse
KEE- For Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Half on the Turf
April 19, 2025

It did not come as much of a surprise when the Grade 2 Elkhorn came down to a battle between American Generals and Kidding. Both had been running very well, and as we got closer to the wire, they had left the rest of the field behind. Only one of them could win, and the post time favorite, American Generals would hold off his rival for his eleventh career win. We had these two finishing in the opposite order, though both trainers should, at the least, be content with this outcome. As for American Generals, the five year old gelding is trained by Riggins Racing and was ridden by A A Gallardo. It’s the first time that either of them have won the Elkhorn, so congratulations go out to them! The winning time of 2:24.14 is the second quickest in the race’s history, with the great Bronze Sabre still holding that record. Here’s a look at the race!

(½ Mile- :48.51)- Maxmillion Farm’s Penal Hockey Party wins the opening faceoff and quickly goes out to the lead right from the gate, and will be uncontested as they round the turn and enter the frontstretch for the first time. Holding the second position, while running in the middle of three wide, is our eventual winner from Riggins Racing, American Generals. He will have TwinTowersRacing’s Bronze Crown, trying to get some Bronze Sabre magic to his outside, and within a length on the rail is In A Love Song, for Mb Stables. Our other top contender, Kidding, is right behind him for High Voltage, and it’s a long way back to the trainer, Drone Strike, from D J C Racing Stables.

(3/4 Mile- 1:12.72)- We reach the midway part of the race with Penal Hockey Party still on a breakaway in front of the field. Behind him, they get lined up, with American Generals now a clear second, a length in front of Bronze Sabre, who might already be tiring, as well as In A Love Song. Kidding is still fifth, and has not been pressed by M E Smith to make a move as of yet. Drone Strike is no where to be seen for now, trailing by ten lengths.

(Top of Stretch, 1.8F To Go)- Midway into the backstretch, Penal Hockey Party and American Generals were threatening to leave the rest of the field well behind. That would cue Kidding to make his move at this point, moving three wide to pass both Bronze Crown and In A Love Song. Early into the turn, American Generals would make the pass for the lead, and would then enter the stretch already a length ahead of Penal Hockey Party. There would still be more work to do, as Kidding was running well on the outside and cutting into his deficit. However, Kidding had left of ground to cover to catch the leader, so this would not be an easy task. In A Love Song, maybe, was in striking range if he got going now. Drone Strike and Bronze Crown were left behind.

(Finish- 2:24.14)- In the stretch, American Generals had plenty left to not really get threatened by Kidding, even though Kidding did make progress and ultimately got within a length of him at the wire. In all, an impressive outing by American Generals to win at this distance! Kidding is a clear second, and it’s two and a half lengths behind him to Penal Hockey Party. It’s another three to In A Love Song then Drone Strike. Bronze Crown lost his crown at the back.

About The Winner- American Generals, trained by Riggins Racing and ridden to victory by A A Gallardo, is a five year old gelding by Generals Opus and is out of American Kitty. He was bred in California by Blazin D as a third quarter two year old, and was acquired by Riggins Racing for $125.000 in a February 2024 private sale. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his eleventh in 24 starts, and his fourth stake win, all of which are graded. His career earnings are now $1,061.880.

Track: Firm
Time: :48²  1:12³  2:00³  2:24

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 3 Paid 6.10
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 3 – 5 Paid 23.30

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES