Elkhorn – Grade II
1 1/2 Mile Turf Stake Purse $250.000 Open 4 Year Olds And Up.

1st   Bayou Quartier  Invicta Group Llc  Franco G   2:25.39
The San Luis Rey winner slipped into the perfect position on an honest early pace and galloped home strongly through the final quarter to win by a length. This five year old has really found his stride this year and is building a very nice record which should take him into November.

2nd   Levitical Order  Nakamura Stables Saez L    2:25.60
The rather surprising early leader he set a fairly solid early pace but couldnt keep up the gallop to win. He was very game to hold second and this was a much better effort than anything he has achieved before.

3rd   My Plucky  Hambletonian Stable Nakatani C S   2:25.80
Settled back but couldnt muster the sort of finish he did last time out and could ony run into third. Not a bad effort but i couldn’t help but be a bit disappointed.

4th   Max Million  Maxmillion Farm  Beschizza A  2:25.84
Settled in midfield and never really improved much ending up fourth. He seems to be suffering from four year old itus and this may be a good time to give him some rest and a few confidence boosters before a late summer campaign.

Footnote:
I insinuated that Hambletonian Stable would use their three entries to manipulate the pace of this race and was corrected by the trainer before the race. In hindsight the early pace was good enough to suit any of the stable runners and the trainer did indeed set all of their horses on instructions that gave each the best chance of winning.

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