1/29/22
10 GP McKnight Stakes (GIII)
$200.000 4yo&Up 1 1/2m Turf 124lbs +penalties
Some horses just have my number… I pick them, last… I don’t pick them, win. Billy Joel is one of those horses. I overlooked him again today in the McKnight Stakes (GIII) and what does he do? Runs off to win by two at 10/1 odds. The La Canada Racehorses owned gelding sat chilly until they
made the turn through the turn, where he closed like a freight train to hit the front end turning for home and it was lights-out from there. Twin TowersRacing’s Dracarys, dismissed at 21/1 odds, took the runner-up spot with Big Aspirations a quarter-length back in third. One More Stitch was fourth in a race that saw the winner go the marathon mile and a half in 2:25 flat over the firm (non-existent) inner turf course.
Billy Joel is a 5yo bay gelded son of El Gran Broomstick – Steel Laff, by Mistrooper, and he was bred in La by Broke Spoke Stables. Acquired by La Canada Racehorses for $20.000, prior to his racing career, he now shows nine wins from nineteen starts and earnings of $3,314.480. Congrats to the connections!
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 3 – Billy Joel | 22.50 | 12.40 | 6.40 |
| 4 – Dracarys | 20.90 | 19.60 | |
| 5 – Big Aspirations | 3.80 |
Track: Firm Time: :483 1:123 2:003 2:25
$1 Exacta: 3 – 4 Paid 226.40 $1 Trifecta: 3 – 4 – 5 Paid 1,353.20
Scratched: None
Billy Joel rated back, began to pass horses on the backside and into the turn, moved up quickly on the turn to take over, clear late winning as much the best. Dracarys just behind the pace early, dropped back under wraps, swung wide for the run through the lane, second best. Big Aspirations tracked the pace, up to take the lead mid-way on the backside, headed on the turn, settled. One More Stitch rated, best foot too late. Hollywood Capo on the pace up to take the lead on the clubhouse turn, headed mid-way down the back stretch, tired. Dangerfield was not a factor. Raj Action Packed was outrun. Kings Poker showed speed to the far turn, tired. Afterburner was outrun. Books Brother trailed throughout.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
