4/18/2020

1 KEE     Elkhorn (GII)

    $250.000        4yo&Up        1 1/2m Turf        123lbs

Not in his best form…right, what ever.  So Lonely, sent off as the 7/2 favorite, stayed close to the early pace, moved up to take over as he wanted and went under the wire in front by three-quarters of a length to take the prestigious Elkhorn (GII) at KEE in a final time of 2.24.84 for the marathon mile and a half, of a course listed as firm.  Controlled Power led early and continued on well to take the second spot while Bring The Pain finished third.

The field of eleven loaded up and got away from the starting gate with Techfluence away quickest of all, Controlled Power from the hedge giving chase and Running Bien from the far outside.  So Lonely was next, Bring the Pain towards the inside and Expert Eye next to that one.  Jamie Mach was next, then a bit of a gap back to Gila River, Momentus next
to that one, Homme de Guerre from the inside and Raj Action Packed was the early trailer.

Around the far turn and under the wire for the first time, seven furlongs left to run and Controlled Power used his inside position to hug the shrubbery and take the lead by a half length.  So Lonely on his outside, then a gap of three back to Running Bien, Techfluence saving ground to his inside and Bring The Pain out three wide.  Jamie Mach
still hugging the rail in behind that one, Expert Eye on his flank, then a length back to Momentus, Gila River between horses, Homme de Guerre on the rail ad Raj Action Packed continued to be the back marker.

Around the clubhouse turn as the field made their way down the back stretch, there was a half mile to run and So Lonely loomed up and stuck a head in front of Controlled Power.  Gap of three to Techfluence on the inside of Running Bien, Bring The Pain three wide with that group, then another length and a half back to Jamie Mach, a length and a half to the thee wide Gila River, Homme de Guerre on the rail and Expert Eye between that pair, the Momentus and Raj Action Packed continued to lag in the rear.

Now moving around the far turn and into the lane, the field went past the three-sixteenths pole and they were beginning to string out a bit.  So Lonely in front by a length and a half, Controlled Power to his inside and a two length advantage on Bring The Pain.  Another gap of two back to Homme de Guerre, Techfluence to his inside, Momentus down the center of the track.  Another length to Raj Action Packed now moving forward as the rest needed to get things going quickly.

Deep stretch and to the finish, So Lovely continuing to lead without anyone really giving him a threat and he won by three quarters of a length.  Controlled Power continued on well for the place as Bring The Pain closed a late gap for the third spot.  Homme de Guerre was fourth, Momentus in fifth and Raj Action Packed sixth.  Techfluence was seventh, Jamie Mach eighth, Gila River ninth, Running Bien tenth and Expert Eye closed this one out.

So Lonely is a 4yo chestnut cold by Laffin Match – Single Z, by Z Cars, and he was bred by his owner, Diablo Diablo, in Cal.  This was his sixth win from seventeen starts and he  now has $380.800 in earnings, $294.000 of that coming this season.

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Firm          Time: :48²  1:12¹  2:00   2:24⁴
$1 Exacta: 9 – 1 Paid  36.00          $1  Trifecta: 9 – 1 – 4 Paid 283.50
Scratched: Just Chillin

So Lonely broke alertly, up to track the pace setter to the far turn, moved past that one to wrestle command into the far turn, continued on to the wire, won driving.  Controlled Power broke sharp, took command shortly after the start, led to the far turn, could not go on with the winner.  Bring The Pain settled in behind the pace while never far away, some late action while no threat to the winner.  Homme de Guerre lacked early foot, steady push to reach contention, asked but could not gain position.  Momentus taken back, lost ground down the backside, some late gate.  Raj Action Packed was away slowly, passed tiring rivals.  Techfluence sat just behind the pace to the far turn, tired.  Jamie Mach was never involved.  Gila River was outrun.  Running Bien flashed early speed, folded.  Expert Eye raced mid pack, tired.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES