The Elkhorn Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for four-year-olds and older over a distance of 1+12 miles on the turf held annually in early April at Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, Kentucky during the spring meeting. It currently offers a purse of $350,000.

Elkhorn Stakes
Grade II race
LocationKeeneland
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Inaugurated1986
Race typeThoroughbredFlat racing
SponsorVisitLex (2024)
WebsiteKeeneland
Race information
Distance1+12 miles (12 furlongs)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFour-year-olds and older
Weight123 lbs with allowances
Purse$350,000 (since 2022)

History

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The event is named for Elkhorn and area which it is believed that Daniel Boone took his first steps in what is now Kentucky near present-day Elkhorn City on a hunting expedition.[1] Also the name is synonymous with Elkhorn Creek, a stream running through several counties in Central Kentucky.

The event was inaugurated on 20 April 1986 and was won by Lieutenant's Lark, starting 10-1 went wire-to-wire with Frank Lovato Jr. aboard in a time of 1:5435 over the 1+18 miles distance.[2] The event was increased to the current distance of a mile and one half in 1996.[3]

A Grade III event from 1988 to 1989 and from 1996 to 2007, it was a Grade II event from 1990 to 1995 and in 2008 was returned to its Grade II status.[4]

Several champions have won this event including the 1986 US Champion Male Turf Horse Manila in his season debut of 1987[5] and the dual Breeders' Cup Mile winner Lure who won this event in 1994 easily by four lengths as a short priced favorite.[6] Both these champions won the event when it was 1+18 miles. Chief Bearhart won this event at the 1+12 miles distance in 1997 en route to becoming Canadian Horse of the Year and also US Champion Male Turf Horse.

Records

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Speed record

  • 1+12 miles: 2:27.10 – Channel Maker (2022)
  • 1+18 miles: 1:47.00 – Marvin's Faith (IRE) (1995)

Margins

  • 4+34 lengths – Epicentre (2004)

Most wins

  • 2 – African Dancer (1998, 1999)
  • 2 – Kim Loves Bucky (2002, 2003)
  • 2 – Musketier (GER) (2010, 2011)

Most wins by an owner

Most wins by a jockey

Most wins by a trainer

Winners

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Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
2024 Silver Knott (GB) 4 Flavien Prat Charlie Appleby Godolphin Racing 1+12 miles 2:27.37 $313,750 II [7]
2023 Verstappen 4 Declan Cannon Brendan P. Walsh Andrew Farm, For the People Racing Stable, & Windmill Manor Farm 1+12 miles 2:29.28 $333,157 II [8]
2022 Channel Maker 8 Luis Saez William I. Mott Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R.A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing 1+12 miles 2:27.10 $310,538 II [9]
2021 Say the Word 6 Luis Saez Philip D'Amato Agave Racing Stable & Sam-Son Farm 1+12 miles 2:28.26 $200,000 II [10]
2020 Zulu Alpha 7 Tyler Gaffalione Michael J. Maker Michael M Hui 1+12 miles 2:30.82 $175,000 II [11]
2019 Bigger Picture 6 Tyler Gaffalione Michael J. Maker Three Diamonds Farm 1+12 miles 2:32.00 $250,000 II [12]
2018 One Go All Go 6 Chris Landeros Charles L. Dickey Rodney Paden 1+12 miles 2:30.76 $250,000 II [13]
2017 Itsinthepost (FR) 5 Tyler Baze Jeff Mullins Red Baron's Barn 1+12 miles 2:31.22 $250,000 II [14]
2016 Da Big Hoss 5 Florent Geroux Michael J. Maker Skychai Racing 1+12 miles 2:31.29 $250,000 II [15]
2015 Dramedy 6 Joe Bravo Gerald Russel Aschinger John James Revocable Trust 1+12 miles 2:31.17 $250,000 II [16]
2014 Unitarian 4 Javier Castellano Todd A. Pletcher Robert S. Evans 1+12 miles 2:32.60 $250,000 II [17]
2013 Dark Cove 6 Joel Rosario Michael J. Maker Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey 1+12 miles 2:30.84 $150,000 II [18]
2012 Point of Entry 4 John R. Velazquez Claude R. McGaughey III Phipps Stable 1+12 miles 2:29.45 $150,000 II [19]
2011 Musketier (GER) 9 John R. Velazquez Roger L. Attfield Stella Perdomo 1+12 miles 2:32.04 $150,000 II [20]
2010 Musketier (GER) 8 John R. Velazquez Roger L. Attfield Johanna Louise Glen-Teven 1+12 miles 2:31.32 $200,000 II [21]
2009 Spice Route (GB) 5 René R. Douglas Roger L. Attfield Attfield, Harlequin & Ralph Johnson 1+12 miles 2:29.23 $200,000 II [22]
2008 Dancing Forever 5 René R. Douglas Claude R. McGaughey III Phipps Stable 1+12 miles 2:29.79 $200,000 II [23]
2007 Ascertain (IRE) 6 Jamie Theriot Niall M. O'Callaghan Mrs. S. K. Johnston Jr., Paul J. Dixon & Dr. Gene Voss 1+12 miles 2:30.40 $200,000 III [24]
2006 Pellegrino (BRZ) 7 Shaun Bridgmohan Roger L. Attfield Gary A. Tanaka 1+12 miles 2:29.84 $200,000 III [25]
2005 Macaw (IRE) 6 Javier Castellano Angel A. Penna Jr. George Melillo 1+12 miles 2:32.62 $200,000 III [26]
2004 Epicentre 5 Jerry D. Bailey Robert J. Frankel Juddmonte Farms 1+12 miles 2:31.96 $150,000 III [27]
2003 Kim Loves Bucky 6 Kent J. Desormeaux John Glenney Kim Glenney 1+12 miles 2:29.39 $150,000 III [28]
2002 Kim Loves Bucky 5 Jorge F. Chavez John Glenney Kim Glenney 1+12 miles 2:32.49 $150,000 III [29]
2001 Williams News 6 Robby Albarado Thomas M. Amoss On Target Racing Stable 1+12 miles 2:29.13 $113,400 III [30]
2000 Drama Critic 4 Jerry D. Bailey Mark A. Hennig Amerman Racing Stables 1+12 miles 2:28.00 $112,500 III [31]
1999 African Dancer 7 Jerry D. Bailey William I. Mott Pin Oak Stable 1+12 miles 2:27.80 $109,900 III [32]
1998 African Dancer 6 Jerry D. Bailey William I. Mott Pin Oak Stable 1+12 miles 2:31.60 $107,600 III [33]
1997 Chief Bearhart 4 José A. Santos Mark R. Frostad Sam-Son Farm 1+12 miles 2:28.40 $110,200 III [34]
1996 Vladivostok 6 Pat Day Neil J. Howard Bayard Sharp 1+12 miles 2:30.80 $110,100 III [35]
1995 Marvin's Faith (IRE) 4 Craig Perret Ian P. D. Jory Marvin Malmouth 1+18 miles 1:47.00 $114,000 II [36]
1994 Lure 5 Mike E. Smith Claude R. McGaughey III Claiborne Farm 1+18 miles 1:53.60 $107,300 II [6]
1993 Coaxing Matt 4 Pat Day Neil L. Pessin Elmer E. Miller 1+18 miles 1:47.60 $110,650 II [37]
1992 Fourstars Allstar 4 Jerry D. Bailey Leo O'Brien Richard M. Bomze 1+18 miles 1:47.60 $112,300 II [38]
1991 Itsallgreektome 4 Russell Baze Wallace Dollase Jhayare Stables 1+18 miles 1:51.20 $109,450 II [39]
1990 Ten Keys 6 Randy Romero Michael V. Pino Charles Linhoss 1+18 miles 1:51.80 $109,950 II [40]
1989 Exclusive Partner 7 Fernando Toro Richard E. Mandella R. Dee Hubbard 1+18 miles 1:50.40 $84,450 III [41]
1988 Yankee Affair 6 Pat Day Henry L. Carroll Ju Ju Jen Stable 1+18 miles 1:49.60 $86,900 III [42]
1987 Manila 4 Jacinto Vásquez LeRoy Jolley Bradley M. Shannon 1+18 miles 1:48.40 $53,875 [5]
1986 Lieutenant's Lark 4 Frank Lovato Jr. Howard M. Tesher Lowell T. Stevens 1+18 miles 1:54.60 $55,925 [2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Historical Marker Society of America. "Veterans Day –A Tribute to the Military Service of our Ancestors RESEARCH DRAFT 2013" (PDF). 2013. p. 34. Retrieved 12 July 2020. Boone first reached Kentucky in the fall of 1767 while on a long hunt with his brother Squire Boone. Boone's first steps in Kentucky were near present day Elkhorn City
  2. ^ a b Rees, Jennie (21 April 1986). "Lieutenant's Lark, wins wire to wire in Elkhorn (1986 Elkhorn Stakes – race 7: held 20 April 1986)". The Courier-Journal. p. 43. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes (Gr. 2)". Equibase. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  4. ^ "ELKHORN STAKES - KEENELAND, KY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  5. ^ a b Rees, Jennie (21 April 1987). "Manila, one turf cookie at Keeneland, shows how great ones make it look easy (1987 Elkhorn Stakes – race 8: held 20 April 1987)". The Courier-Journal. pp. 11, 13. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  6. ^ a b "1994 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 15 April 1994. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  7. ^ "2024 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  8. ^ "2023 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  9. ^ "2022 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 23 April 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  10. ^ "2021 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  11. ^ "2020 TVG Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 12 July 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  12. ^ "2019 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  13. ^ "2018 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  14. ^ "2017 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 22 April 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  15. ^ "2016 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 23 April 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  16. ^ "2015 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 18 April 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  17. ^ "2014 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 25 April 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  18. ^ "2013 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  19. ^ "2012 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 27 April 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  20. ^ "2011 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 29 April 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  21. ^ "2010 Fifth Third Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 23 April 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  22. ^ "2009 Fifth Third Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 24 April 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  23. ^ "2008 Fifth Third Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 25 April 2008. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  24. ^ "2007 Fifth Third Elkhorn Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 27 April 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  25. ^ "2006 Fifth Third Elkhorn Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 28 April 2006. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  26. ^ "2005 Fifth Third Elkhorn Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 29 April 2005. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  27. ^ "2004 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 23 April 2004. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  28. ^ "2003 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 23 April 2003. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  29. ^ "2002 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 24 April 2002. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  30. ^ "2001 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 25 April 2001. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  31. ^ "2000 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 26 April 2000. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  32. ^ "1999 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 21 April 1999. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  33. ^ "1998 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 22 April 1998. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  34. ^ "1997 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 25 April 1997. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  35. ^ "1996 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 26 April 1996. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  36. ^ "1995 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 19 April 1995. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  37. ^ "1993 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 8 April 1993. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  38. ^ "1992 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 10 April 1992. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  39. ^ "1991 Elkhorn Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 14 April 1991. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  40. ^ Rees, Jennie (15 April 1990). "Ten Keys outduels Yankee Affair in Elkhorn battle of oldtimers (1990 Elkhorn Stakes – race 6: held 14 April 1990)". The Courier-Journal. p. 45. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  41. ^ Koerner, Dave (28 April 1989). "Toro boots Exclusive Partner to Elkhorn victory (1989 Elkhorn Stakes – race 8: held 27 April 1989)". The Courier-Journal. p. 51. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  42. ^ Terhume, Jim (21 April 1988). "Yankee Affair gets message from Day and wins Elkhorn (1988 Elkhorn Stakes – race 8: held 20 April 1988)". The Courier-Journal. pp. 11, 31. Retrieved 12 July 2020.