Itsinthepost Heads Field of Turfers in Dixiana Elkhorn
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Photo: BENOIT PHOTO
Itsinthepost takes the March 25 San Luis Rey at Santa Anita
Itsinthepost travels from his California digs and will carry high weight of 120 pounds in the April 22 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland, giving two pounds to each of his 10 opponents. The $250,000 Elkhorn is for older horses going 12 furlongs on the Haggin Turf Course.
Itsinthepost, campaigned by longtime owner Jed Cohen in the name of his Red Baron's Barn, comes off a March 25 conquest of the San Luis Rey Stakes (G2T) at the same 1 1/2-mile distance, in which he converted a stalking trip. The 5-year-old has run first or second in his last six starts and holds the advantage if he takes to the Keeneland green.
BALAN: Itsinthepost Breaks Through in San Luis Rey
Danish Dynaformer turned in a nice effort in the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2T) last time out, coming from well back with a late rally to get to within 1 1/4 lengths of Wake Forest. He would benefit from a fast early tempo, and although he hasn't posed for a picture since last July, he has faced runners like The Pizza Man and Mondialiste and looms as a threat.
Bigger Picture finished ahead of Danish Dynaformer in the Mac Diarmida and scored two back in the John B. Connally Stakes (G3T). He also won the Red Smith Handicap (G3T) last year and has run well at Keeneland, missing by a nose in the Sycamore Stakes (G3T) last fall. He's a versatile sort who has run on the lead, from mid-pack, and far back.
Taghleeb checked in an even fourth last time out in the Pan American Stakes (G2T) and won the W.L. McKnight Handicap (G3T) in January.
Charming Kitten, back from a journey to Ireland last summer, has run evenly in two starts at Gulfstream Park this season and has run well at Keeneland.
Chocolate Ride drew outside and does his best running on the front end. He is a two-time winner of the Fair Grounds Handicap (G3T) and certainly fits with this group if he can work out a trip.
Interpol will leave from the rail. He came back after a 17-month layoff to run evenly in the Canadian Turf Stakes (G3T) in March and won the grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes Presented by HPIBet in 2015, although that was on yielding ground. He should certainly be tighter for his second race back, but needs to show he hasn't lost a step. Roman Approval ran well at this level last year, but his two most recent races leave something to be desired. Red Rifle was good two years ago but he too has tailed off recently.
Dixiana Elkhorn S. (G2T)
Keeneland, Saturday, April 22, 2017, Race 9
- 1 1/2m
- Turf
- $250,000
- 4 yo's & up
- 5:30 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Interpol (ON) | Jose Lezcano | 118 | James J. Toner | 12/1 |
| 2 | 2Danish Dynaformer (ON) | Paco Lopez | 118 | Roger L. Attfield | 6/1 |
| 3 | 3Red Rifle (KY) |
Corey J. Lanerie | 118 | Todd A. Pletcher | 6/1 |
| 4 | 4Itsinthepost (FR) | Tyler Baze | 120 | Jeff Mullins | 4/1 |
| 5 | 5Bigger Picture (KY) | Jose L. Ortiz | 118 | Michael J. Maker | 7/2 |
| 6 | 6Bullards Alley (KY) | Marcelino Pedroza | 118 | Tim Glyshaw | 20/1 |
| 7 | 7Grey Wizard (KY) |
Joe Bravo | 118 | Jose Fernandez | 30/1 |
| 8 | 8Taghleeb (KY) | Luis Saez | 118 | Michael J. Maker | 4/1 |
| 9 | 9Charming Kitten (KY) | Julien R. Leparoux | 118 | Michael J. Maker | 6/1 |
| 10 | 10Roman Approval (KY) |
Joel Rosario | 118 | Michael J. Maker | 20/1 |
| 11 | 11Chocolate Ride (KY) |
Shaun Bridgmohan | 118 | Brad H. Cox | 12/1 |