Knightsbridge romps in return, will target Pat Day Mile

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – After Knightsbridge pulled away in the stretch to win his comeback race by nine lengths Thursday at Gulfstream Park, trainer Bill Mott turned around and let out a “phew.”

It was only 11 days ago that Mott watched an odds-on favorite, Scylla, get upset by a neck in a return race off a long layoff.

There was no such drama for the 3-year-old Knightsbridge, who, after taking some pace pressure from two horses, drew clear to a nine-length victory in a first-level allowance going one mile. He was the 1-9 favorite.

The race was the first for Knightsbridge since he won his maiden by 10 1/4 lengths going seven furlongs last Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs. Knightsbridge, a son of Nyquist, had his 3-year-old debut delayed first by an illness and then by a skin disease.

“Maybe we would have preferred to be ready a month ago, this is the way it worked out,” Mott said. “Fortunately, we were able to get the race here. I’m grateful the race went.”

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Under Junior Alvarado, Knightsbridge broke running and took some early heat from Turn Up the Trees, who pushed Knightsbridge through a half-mile in 45.49 seconds. When Turn Up the Trees retreated, Sea Streak, under Jose Ortiz, came up along the outside and pressed him until the quarter pole, after six furlongs went in 1:10.28.

Alvarado shook Knightsbridge up and drew clear in the lane while being taken in hand late. He covered the mile in 1:36.75 and returned $2.20 as the heavy chalk. Sea Streak finished second by 13 lengths over Speed Control.

“Junior said he was very comfortable, even though they were going that quick,” Mott said.

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Mott reiterated a desire to run in the Grade 2, $600,000 Pat Day Mile on the undercard of the May 4 Kentucky Derby. Mott didn’t rule out a try around two turns at some point, though it’s unlikely it would occur in a Triple Crown race.

“We might try it later on,” said Mott, who trains Knightsbridge for Godolphin Racing. “The connections, including myself, always like to see how far they’ll go.”

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