The Elkhorn Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for four-year-olds and older over a distance of miles on the turf held annually in mid April at Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, Kentucky during the spring meeting. It currently offers a purse of $400,000.

History

The event is named for Elkhorn and area which it is believed that Daniel Boone took his first steps in what is now Kentucky near present-day Elkhorn City on a hunting expedition.Historical Marker Society of America. Also the name is synonymous with Elkhorn Creek, a stream running through several counties in Central Kentucky.

The event was inaugurated on 20 April 1986 and was won by Lieutenant's Lark, starting 10-1 went wire-to-wire with Frank Lovato Jr. aboard in a time of 1:54 over the miles distance. The event was increased to the current distance of a mile and one half in 1996.

A Grade III event from 1988 to 1989 and from 1996 to 2007, it was a Grade II event from 1990 to 1995 and in 2008 was returned to its Grade II status.

Several champions have won this event including the 1986 US Champion Male Turf Horse Manila in his season debut of 1987 and the dual Breeders' Cup Mile winner Lure who won this event in 1994 easily by four lengths as a short priced favorite. Both these champions won the event when it was miles. Chief Bearhart won this event at the miles distance in 1997 en route to becoming Canadian Horse of the Year and also US Champion Male Turf Horse.

Records Speed record miles: 2:27.10 – Channel Maker (2022) miles: 1:47.00 – Marvin's Faith (IRE) (1995)

Margin lengths – Burnham Square (2026)

Most wins 2 – African Dancer (1998, 1999) 2 – Kim Loves Bucky (2002, 2003) 2 – Musketier (GER) (2010, 2011)

Most wins by an owner 2 – Pin Oak Stable (1998, 1999) 2 – Kim Glenney (2002, 2003) 2 – Phipps Stable (2008, 2012) 2 – Sam-Son Farm (1997, 2021)

Most wins by a jockey 5 – Jerry Bailey (1992, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004)

Most wins by a trainer 4 – Roger Attfield (2006, 2009, 2010, 2011) 4 – Michael J. Maker (2013, 2016, 2019, 2020)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref2026Burnham Square4Ian R. WilkesWhitham Thoroughbreds miles2:32.55$389,500II2025Utah Beach 5 Vincent Cheminaud Ignacio Correas IV Jeffrey S. Amling & Merriebelle Stable miles2:29.78$394,188II2024Silver Knott (GB) 4Flavien PratCharlie ApplebyGodolphin Racing miles2:27.37$313,750II2023Verstappen 4Declan CannonBrendan P. WalshAndrew Farm, For the People Racing Stable, & Windmill Manor Farm miles2:29.28$333,157II2022Channel Maker8Luis SaezWilliam I. MottWachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R.A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing miles2:27.10$310,538II2021Say the Word6Luis SaezPhilip D'AmatoAgave Racing Stable & Sam-Son Farm miles2:28.26$200,000II2020Zulu Alpha7Tyler GaffalioneMichael J. MakerMichael M Hui miles2:30.82$175,000II2019Bigger Picture6Tyler GaffalioneMichael J. MakerThree Diamonds Farm miles2:32.00$250,000II2018One Go All Go6Chris LanderosCharles L. DickeyRodney Paden miles2:30.76$250,000II2017Itsinthepost (FR)5Tyler BazeJeff MullinsRed Baron's Barn miles2:31.22$250,000II2016Da Big Hoss5Florent GerouxMichael J. MakerSkychai Racing miles2:31.29$250,000II2015Dramedy6Joe BravoGerald Russel AschingerJohn James Revocable Trust miles2:31.17$250,000II2014Unitarian4Javier CastellanoTodd A. PletcherRobert S. Evans miles2:32.60$250,000II2013Dark Cove6Joel RosarioMichael J. MakerKenneth and Sarah Ramsey miles2:30.84$150,000II2012Point of Entry4John R. VelazquezPhipps Stable miles2:29.45$150,000II2011Musketier (GER)9John R. VelazquezRoger L. AttfieldStella Perdomo miles2:32.04$150,000II2010Musketier (GER)8John R. VelazquezRoger L. AttfieldJohanna Louise Glen-Teven miles2:31.32$200,000II2009Spice Route (GB)5René R. DouglasRoger L. AttfieldAttfield, Harlequin & Ralph Johnson miles2:29.23$200,000II2008Dancing Forever5René R. DouglasClaude R. McGaughey IIIPhipps Stable miles2:29.79$200,000II2007Ascertain (IRE)6Jamie TheriotNiall M. O'CallaghanMrs. S. K. Johnston Jr., Paul J. Dixon & Dr. Gene Voss miles2:30.40$200,000III2006Pellegrino (BRZ)7Shaun BridgmohanRoger L. AttfieldGary A. Tanaka miles2:29.84$200,000III2005Macaw (IRE)6Javier CastellanoAngel A. Penna Jr.George Melillo miles2:32.62$200,000III2004Epicentre5Jerry D. BaileyRobert J. FrankelJuddmonte Farms miles2:31.96$150,000III2003Kim Loves Bucky6John GlenneyKim Glenney miles2:29.39$150,000III2002Kim Loves Bucky5Jorge F. ChavezJohn GlenneyKim Glenney miles2:32.49$150,000III2001Williams News6Robby AlbaradoThomas M. AmossOn Target Racing Stable miles2:29.13$113,400III2000Drama Critic4Jerry D. BaileyMark A. HennigAmerman Racing Stables miles2:28.00$112,500III1999African Dancer7Jerry D. BaileyWilliam I. MottPin Oak Stable miles2:27.80$109,900III1998African Dancer6Jerry D. BaileyWilliam I. MottPin Oak Stable miles2:31.60$107,600III1997Chief Bearhart4José A. SantosMark R. FrostadSam-Son Farm miles2:28.40$110,200III1996Vladivostok6Pat DayNeil J. Howard Bayard Sharp miles2:30.80$110,100III19954Craig PerretIan P. D. JoryMarvin Malmouth miles1:47.00$114,000II1994Lure5Mike E. SmithClaude R. McGaughey IIIClaiborne Farm miles1:53.60$107,300II1993Coaxing Matt4Pat DayNeil L. PessinElmer E. Miller miles1:47.60$110,650II1992Fourstars Allstar4Jerry D. BaileyLeo O'BrienRichard M. Bomze miles1:47.60$112,300II1991Itsallgreektome4Russell BazeWallace DollaseJhayare Stables miles1:51.20$109,450II1990Ten Keys6Randy RomeroMichael V. PinoCharles Linhoss miles1:51.80$109,950II1989Exclusive Partner7Fernando ToroRichard E. Mandella R. Dee Hubbard miles1:50.40$84,450III1988Yankee Affair6Pat DayHenry L. CarrollJu Ju Jen Stable miles1:49.60$86,900III1987Manila4Jacinto VásquezLeRoy JolleyBradley M. Shannon miles1:48.40$53,875 1986Lieutenant's Lark4Frank Lovato Jr.Howard M. TesherLowell T. Stevens miles1:54.60$55,925

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

External links 2015 Keeneland Media Guide

References