By Sam Turner -
A fine tactical ride from Flavien Prat saw Silver Knott lead home a Charlie Appleby-trained 1-3 in the VisitLEX Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland.
The four-year-old son of Lope De Vega had previously struggled to get his head in front in five graded starts in the United States, despite running creditably, but in the week his trainer announced an increased Stateside equine presence, he produced his best.
Always well positioned under Prat in this 2800m Grade 2 as the runners swung for home following a stop-start gallop, Silver Knott’s inherent speed served him well as he quickened clear of Missed The Cut and stablemate Bold Act, partnered by Frankie Dettori.
The move for the line was decisive and, although those in behind cut into the deficit late on, Prat and his willing partner were never unduly troubled to score by a length-and-a-half.
"I was very pleased when we were going down the backside, and then horses came alongside of us so that made us go a little bit," said Prat.
"But it gave him a chance to actually get a nice breather, and once I called on him, as you could tell he had a great turn of foot," Prat added of the 2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up.
For Dettori and Bold Act it was a different story, with a pedestrian gallop and traffic problems denying the well-backed favourite the opportunity to shine.
"We walked, we sprinted. Flavien nicked it from the front," Dettori lamented.
"I was slowly away, in the pocket all the way. No way to get out at any stage.”
Silver Knott’s victory provided Godolphin with their third graded stakes victory of the current Keeneland spring meet after initial success from the Appleby-trained Master Of The Seas in the G1 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes and the Brad Cox-trained Encino in the G3 Lexington Stakes.
