TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon

 

Skip the Line

Other than Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho, nobody had a better Saturday than 5-year-old Skippylongstocking. The Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee made quick work of 10 challengers to capture the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) by two lengths.

Closing at 5-2, Skippylongstocking and rider Jose Ortiz entered the Arkansas’ racecourse’s title event with high expectations. Any concerns that the dynamic duo might crumble under the pressure were dashed early, as the veteran battery commanded complete control of the 1 1/8-mile affair from the get-go.

With the Oaklawn score, Skippylongstocking also clinched a berth in May’s Preakness (G1) at Pimlico.

The Kentucky-bred’s fifth career graded win (23: 8-2-4) paid $7.60.

 

At Last

The curse of the graded stakes is finally over for Silver Knott (GB), whom after six unsuccessful tries at the level, broke through in Saturday’s $350,000 Elkhorn (G3) at Keeneland.

After starting out in his native UK, the 4-year-old gelding joined the North American circuit in November of 2022 for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T), where he finished second. Since then, the graded tier has been Silver Knott’s white whale. The Charles Appleby charge had not fared poorly (0-2-3) in six attempts but struggled to get over the hump.

It was not until the Elkhorn that Silver Knott was at last able to exercise his graded demons. At 5-1, the cathartic display paid a cool $13.52.

 

King of the Barn

The whole point of a comeback victory is that it makes for an exciting gate-to-wire finish. Kingsbarns didn’t get the memo, however.

Despite trailing in the $300,000 Ben Ali (G3) past the three-quarter mark, the 4-year-old colt mounted a late rally that vaulted him and rider Luis Saez to the front of the pack for a 3 ¼-length score.

In what was Kingsbarns first career run at Keeneland, the Todd Pletcher protégé appeared to have run from behind by design, knowing full well the advantage he held over the 1 1/16-mile contest’s eight other challengers.

The Ben Ali represents Kingsbarns second career graded title (2023 Grade 2 Louisiana Derby) and fifth win in seven tries altogether (5-1-0).

Saturday’s romp paid $5.36.

 

Avenged Patriot

The last time things came down to a head’s difference for a Patriot, they were on the wrong side of history (shoutout David Tyree).

That changed Saturday when 3-year-old colt Informed Patriot avenged his gridiron counterparts with a head-length triumph in the $200,000 Bathhouse Row Stakes at Oaklawn.

It took every last ounce of energy, but the Steve Asmussen trainee never relented to 3-1 challenger Imperial Gun. The valiant effort resulted in the first career stakes trophy for Informed Patriot, who slid back down to the Listed level after three fruitless attempts on the graded stage.

Now sitting at 2-0-3 through eight lifetime attempts, the Ricardo Santana Jr. mount’s Hail Mary returned $8.80.

 

Throw that Hat

On day two of the NHL Playoffs, veteran jockey Jose Lezcano netted a natural hat-trick at Aqueduct.

In Sunday’s opening period, Lezcano and Icy Flavor (7-2) scored race number five in comeback fashion. The 1 ½-length victory, which gave the John Kimmel trainee his third in 11 tries (3-4-0), paid $9.70.

After a brief intermission, Lezcano returned for race six with Linda Rice pupil Five to Two. Under the Panama national’s guidance, Five to Two outduelled 8-5 choice Aunt Yola by a neck for her first career win (1-2-2 in six starts). It paid $11.60.

The red hot Lezcano came right back out for the $150,000 Plenty of Grace stakes with a hat-trick in sight. Entering aboard Spirit and Glory (IRE), the turf specialist put forward his most impressive run of the day, handling the small field of four with a five-length gate-to-wire score.

A $2 bet on Spirit and Glory (2-1) and Lezcano returned $6.30.