Musketier sliced his way to victory in the Elkhorn (Wendy Uzelac/EquiSport Photos)

The second time was the charm for Johanna Louise Glen-Teven's MUSKETIER (Ger) (Acatenango) in the $200,000 Elkhorn S. (G2), the closing-day feature at Keeneland on Friday. Runner-up in the 1 1/2-mile turf event a year ago, the Roger Attfield charge turned in a powerful run from midpack to claim this year's renewal by 1 3/4 lengths at an overlaid 7-1. Guided by John Velazquez, Musketier returned $17.20, $9 and $7.40.

After leading comfortably through fractions of :25 3/5, :51 1/5 and 1:16 1/5, Timeless Fashion (Sky Classic) came under pressure from Pick Six (Dynaformer) at the mile marker, which was passed in 1:41 2/5. Though Timeless Fashion reclaimed the lead after 10 furlongs in 2:06 4/5, this Elkhorn would belong to the closers. The best proved to be Musketier, who tracked in closer attendance than either the eventual second- or third-placer. Despite a slow start, Musketier was able to rate in seventh, never more than 5 1/2 lengths from the leader, and gradually improved his position as the race progressed. His strong turn of foot was more than enough to keep the 6-1 Brass Hat (Prized) at bay. Final time of the race over firm ground was 2:31 1/5.

Brass Hat trailed for the opening mile before turning in a very strong run through the lane to land second by three parts of a length over Blushing Bear (Rahy), a 48-1 outsider who launched his bid from near the back rounding the final turn. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back to 9-2 second choice Expansion (Maria's Mon) in fourth. Brass Hat gave back $7.40 and $4.40 while Blushing Bear was worth $12. The exacta returned $127.20, the trifecta $5,371.40, and the 6-11-10-5 superfecta came back $34,203.20.

Musketier earned his first U.S. score in the Elkhorn (EquiSport Photos)

This was the third Elhorn win in the past five years for Attfield, who also scored with Pellegrino (Brz) in 2006 and Spice Route (GB) (King's Best) last year.

Winner of the Prix de Conde (Fr-G3) at two, Musketier placed twice at the Group 3 level but failed to win another stakes during his stay in Europe. Third in the 2007 Red Smith H. (G2) in his U.S. debut, the gray was out of action throughout 2008 and had an inconsistent campaign after his return last season. In addition to his performance in last year's Elkhorn, he captured the Singspiel S. (Can-G3) at Woodbine and was second to dual champion Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat) in the Man o' War S. (G1). However, he ran dismally at times too, finishing far back in the Dixie S. (G2), Sword Dancer Invitational (G1) and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (G1). With this third graded score, the eight-year-old has now bankrolled $626,430 from a line of 34-7-5-3.