Kaigun's new calling on display in Elkhorn Stakes
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Mark Casse knew his decision to suddenly transform Kaigun from a miler into a marathoner would work – or at least he hoped it would.
Casse tried something new last fall by running Kaigun in the Grade 1 Canadian International at 1 1/2 miles, and he has been vindicated by the record the gelding has compiled in six tries at longer distances: four runner-up finishes followed by a victory three weeks ago in the Grade 2 Pan American at Gulfstream Park. His career earnings for Gary Barber and partners stand at $1,361,115.
“He’d gotten older and not as quick as he once was,” said Casse. “Fortunately, it’s worked out the way it has. He’s a pretty remarkable horse.”
Kaigun, with Joe Bravo back to ride, returns to action as one of the top contenders in a field of eight older horses going 1 1/2 miles on turf in the Grade 2, $250,000 Elkhorn Stakes, the feature on the final Saturday of the 16-day Keeneland spring meet.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 7 Kaigun. Trainer Mark Casse is 25-7-2-6 with a $4.77 ROI over the past two years with last-out winners in turf routes of 10 furlongs and longer. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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The other main players in this 31st running of the Elkhorn include Da Big Hoss, a winner of three stakes from his last six starts; Up With the Birds, an earner of more than $1.6 million for owner-breeder Sam-Son Farms; and Twilight Eclipse, an earner of more than $1.8 million for owner West Point Thoroughbreds.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Twilight Eclipse. Trainer Tom Albertrani is 25-3-2-2 with a $0.94 ROI over the past five years in turf routes of 10 furlongs and longer following a layoff of 45 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Rounding out the lineup are A Red Tie Day, Idolo Porteno, Royal Albert Hall, and St. Albans Boy.
The Elkhorn goes as the ninth of 10 races on a Saturday card that starts at 1:05 p.m. Eastern. Post time for the feature is 5:30. The weather forecast calls for sunny skies and a high of 74.
The Elkhorn dates to 1986, the first year for the Keeneland turf course. Probably its greatest winner came in 1987, when Manila prevailed for jockey Jacinto Vasquez and trainer Leroy Jolley. Other notable winners include Ten Keys (1990), Chief Bearhart (1997), Kim Loves Bucky (2002-03), and Point of Entry (2012).
Bravo won the 2015 running aboard 30-1 shot Dramedy for trainer Gerald Aschinger.
KEY CONTENDERS
Kaigun, by Northern Afleet
Last 3 Beyers: 101-102-96
◗ He made 22 starts in shorter races before Casse got the idea to try these turf marathons.
Da Big Hoss, by Lemon Drop Kid
Last 3 Beyers: 95-103-96
◗ He was a little overmatched in the Breeders’ Cup Turf here last fall but has been very productive otherwise since being claimed for $50,000 by Mike Maker last summer.
Up With the Birds, by Stormy Atlantic
Last 3 Beyers: 95-103-93
◗ He has gone winless since the Grade 2 Nijinsky in July 2014 but could be dangerous for trainer Graham Motion off a five-month layoff.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Up With the Birds. Trainer Graham Motion is 15-1-2-1 with a $0.61 ROI over the past five years in turf route graded stakes of 12 furlongs and longer following a layoff of 45 days or more.Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Twilight Eclipse, by Purim
Last 3 Beyers: 92-95-106
◗ His last two races have been subpar, but there’s no doubting the class of this 7-year-old, as champions Main Sequence and Big Blue Kitten dot his past performances.