Kharafa heads Elkwood field

The 6-year-old Kharafa has done most of his best work in stakes restricted to New York-breds, winning three turf routes and finishing second in two other added-money events since 2013. His most recent performance and his ability to stalk what should be a hot and contested pace make him dangerous in Saturday’s $75,000 Elkwood Stakes at Monmouth Park.

The Elkwood, scheduled for a mile on turf as race 11, drew 11 older horses, plus two also-eligibles and a pair of runners entered for the main track only. At least four horses prefer to run on the front end, which could set things up nicely for Kharafa, who will be making his third start of the season.

Last time out, Kharafa led in deep stretch of the one-mile Kingston at Belmont Park but wound up second, a length behind Lubash and a neck in front of King Kreesa. Lubash returned to win an allowance with a 97 Beyer Speed Figure, while King Kreesa came back to win the Grade 3 Poker with a 99 Beyer.

The field also includes Rose Brier, freshened since beaten just two lengths in the Grade 3 Red Bank at Monmouth in mid-May; last-out winner Mr. Online, who lost a pair of photos in Grade 3 races last season; and Inchcape, who cuts back in distance after leading until the final furlong of the 1 1/8-mile, Grade 2 Monmouth Stakes.

KEY CONTENDERS

Kharafa (Last 3 Beyers: 96-98-102)

Trainer Tim Hill excels with turf-route runners the first time back from a layoff of 31 to 60 days, going 4 for 9 (44 percent) with a $4.64 return on investment. That includes a 3-for-8 mark with Kharafa.

Paco Lopez chooses to ride Kharafa rather than Inchcape, the horse he rode to a close third in the Monmouth Stakes.

Mr. Online (Last 3 Beyers: 90-89-87)

The nine-time winner on turf exits a daylight allowance win at Parx, although the final fraction of 24.37 seconds was slow. Second by a neck in two Grade 3 stakes at Gulfstream Park in 2014.

Rose Brier (Last 3 Beyers: 97-99-97)

The last two times this 6-year-old came back from a layoff of 31 to 60 days, he won and missed by a neck.

Inchcape (Last 3 Beyers: 96-88-98)

Joe Bravo will ride this 5-year-old for the first time and might alter tactics by stalking rather than setting the pace. Could peak while making the third start of his form cycle.