Musketier improves from last year to take Elkhorn

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.

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.