Keeneland: Arnold has streak on the line

Rusty Arnold will have seven chances to extend what has been a remarkable record of consistency and longevity at Keeneland in Lexington. Winless from his first 16 starters at the spring meet, Arnold has two scheduled starters on Wednesday, one on Thursday, and four on Friday.

According to Keeneland officials, Arnold, 56, has saddled at least one winner at every meet here since 1986, with the exception of one meet in the late 1980s when he did not start a horse.

Arnold has three seconds at this meet, including Startling Beauty, beaten in a very tight photo in the seventh race April 20.

Elkhorn closes out meeting

The curtain comes down Friday on the 15-day Keeneland spring meet with the 26th running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Elkhorn Stakes, the male counterpart to the Bewitch. A field of 11 older turf marathoners is entered, with the defending champion, Musketier, assigned the far outside post with John Velazquez to ride.

From the hedge, this is the field for the Elkhorn: Rezif, Bearpath, Simmard, Pool Play, Mint Chip, Windward Islands, Giant’s Tomb, Rahy’s Attorney, Miami Deco, Telling, and Musketier.

Canadian icon Roger Attfield is the trainer of Musketier, as well as Simmard. Last year, Attfield swept the Bewitch and Elkhorn with Lady Shakespeare and Musketier. He has Honimiere in the Bewitch on Thursday.