Itsinthepost streaks into Elkhorn repeat bid

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Itsinthepost, the leading turf marathoner on the West Coast, will be back Saturday at Keeneland seeking a repeat in the Elkhorn Stakes while also gunning for a fourth straight Grade 2 victory.

Itsinthepost, with Tyler Baze to ride, heads an outstanding field of 12 older horses in the $250,000 Elkhorn, a 1 1/2-mile turf race that goes as the ninth of 10 Saturday races.

Last April, Baze was aboard Itsinthepost in the Elkhorn when the French-bred gelding rallied for a 1 1/4-length triumph over Charming Kitten. Since then, Itsinthepost has entrenched himself as quite the turf-marathon specialist for owner Red Baron’s Barn LLC and trainer Jeff Mullins, winning four more Grade 2 turf events, including each of his last three races, all at Santa Anita: the San Gabriel in January, the San Marcos in February, and the San Luis Rey in March.

Bullards Alley, who earned a 114 Beyer Speed Figure in winning the Grade 1 Canadian International in October, could be the top challenger to Itsinthepost despite most recently finishing fifth in the March 31 Pan American at Gulfstream Park.

“That turf was just too hard and speed-biased for him that day,” said trainer Tim Glyshaw. “I don’t think he’ll get that same kind of surface at Keeneland and I think he’ll run a much-improved race.”

From the hedge, this is the Elkhorn lineup: Some in Tieme, Oscar Nominated, Call Provision, Danish Dynaformer, Dot Matrix, Canessar, One Go All Go, Hunter O’Riley, Bullards Alley, Itsinthepost, Big Bend, and Hayabusa One.

Jorge Ricardo, the Brazilian superstar jockey who in February surpassed the retired Russell Baze for most all-time winners (12,842), has the mount on Some in Tieme.

The Elkhorn anchors the final Saturday card of the 16-day spring meet, which runs through April 27.