Da Big Hoss Scores in Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes

The Weekend Wrap-Up | April 23-24

Da Big Hoss Scores in the Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes

Da Big Hoss, a former claimer, captured his third graded stakes victory in Saturday’s $250,000 Gr.2 Dixiana Elkhorn at Keeneland – going one and half miles on the turf in 2:31.29. Being expertly piloted by jockey Florent Geroux, Da Big Hoss flew up the rail to catch leader Red Tie Day and held off the late closing Kaigun to win by half a length.

Breaking from the one slot, Da Big Hoss settled quickly into a ground saving third and stalked pacesetter Red Tie Day, who set fractions of 25.62, 51:11, 1:17.11 and 1:43.11 at the mile mark. Heading into the stretch Da Big Hoss, Royal Albert Hall and Kaigun ate up Red Tie Day and fought to the wire – with Da Big Hoss coming in first. Kaigun settled for second for trainer Mark Casse and Royal Albert Hall took third for trainer Doug O’Neill.

Claimed last June by Skychai Racing LLC and trained by Mike Maker, Da Big Hoss went on to win the Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes (Gr.3), John B. Connally Turf Cup (Gr.3) and was sixth in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf. The 5-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid has earned $858,936 in his 18 career starts.

Payouts
Da Big Hoss $7.40 $3.80 $3.00
Kaigun ————- $3.40 $2.40
Royal Albert Hall ——— $4.60

THE WEEKEND WRAP-UP COVERS 3-YEAR-OLD KENTUCKY DERBY AND OAKS PREPS, BREEDERS’ CUP “WIN AND YOU’RE IN” RACES, AND STAKES RACES FEATURING NOTEWORTHY HORSES. TRACKS COVERED INCLUDE SANTA ANITA, DEL MAR, LOS ALAMITOS (TB), GULFSTREAM PARK, TAMPA BAY DOWNS, AQUEDUCT, BELMONT PARK, SARATOGA, KEENELAND, CHURCHILL DOWNS, OAKLAWN, MONMOUTH PARK AND FAIR GROUNDS.