Pat On the Back breaks through with graded win in Kelso

Pat On the Back parlayed a fast and hotly contested pace and the patient handling of jockey Dylan Davis into the first graded stakes win of his career, a half-length victory over 6-5 favorite Prince Lucky in the $300,000 Kelso at Belmont Park.

Pat On the Back, a five-time New York-bred stakes winner, had ventured out of statebred company just once in the past 2 ½ years prior to the Grade 2 Kelso, finishing fifth in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile last fall. Plagued by foot issues throughout his career, Pat On the Back, a son of Congrats, had made just three previous starts this season, having posted victories in the Affirmed and Commentator stakes at Belmont prior to a third-place effort in the six-furlong Tale of the Cat last month at Saratoga.

Davis, who has been aboard Pat On the Back in each of his last 10 starts, eased the 5–year-old back off the early leaders, Monangahela, True Timber, and Prince Lucky, who battled through a 45.73 opening half-mile. Pat On the Back angled out sharply to commence his rally entering the stretch, overtook Prince Lucky near the furlong marker, and gradually edged clear.

Prince Lucky, a multiple graded stakes winner this winter in Florida and coming off a victory in the State Dinner at Saratoga, was trapped three wide contesting the early pace. He eventually emerged with a short advantage settling into the stretch, fought on bravely once headed by the ultimate winner a furlong from home, but was not quite good enough.

True Timber finished third followed by Tale of Silence, Plainsman, and Monongahela.

Pat On the Back’s career earnings swelled to over $1 million for the partnership of Harold Lerner LLC, AWC Stables, and Nehoc Stables following his victory in the Kelso. He paid $9 after completing a mile over the fast track in 1:33.97.

"He really is a fighter and Dylan [Davis] did a fantastic job of getting him off the pace,” said trainer Jeremiah Englehart. “We didn't want to be on the lead today and Dylan really did a masterful job of being able to get him back behind horses without fighting him too much. That was amazing."

Davis said Pat On the Back was a little too keen early on in his last start at Saratoga.

“Today, I just tried to get him to relax,” said Davis. “He broke sharp again today and I got a good hold of him and he settled behind the leaders. I put myself behind Johnny [Velazquez, aboard Prince Lucky]. He was the horse to beat. Once they kicked on, he opened up for me outside of [Prince Lucky] and he finished well.”