Pat On the Back a millionaire after winning his first graded stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Jeremiah Englehart always felt Pat On the Back was a graded stakes horse and now he has the documentation to prove it.

Pat On the Back won his first graded stakes Saturday when he outfinished Prince Lucky to take the Grade 2 Kelso Handicap by a half-length. He ran a mile in 1:33.97 and earned a career-best 103 Beyer Speed Figure.

“To me, he’s been a graded stakes horse because I know what he puts into his races,” Englehart said. “It’s nice to get that graded stakes under his belt.”

Pat On the Back, who became the New York-breeding program’s newest millionaire, will have ample options for his next start. Among them are the $300,000 Empire Classic – a race he won last year – at Belmont on Oct. 19 or the Grade 3, $200,000 Bold Ruler Handicap here on Oct. 26.

Both races are at Belmont Park where Pat On the Back has now won six times from 11 starts.