Elkhorn becomes navigable for Spice Route

Last updated: 4/24/09 8:45 PM

Spice Route skipped to victory in the Elkhorn
(Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com)

Harlequin Ranches et al’s SPICE ROUTE (GB) (King’s Best) suffered traffic
woes when third in the Mac Diarmida S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park last out, but in
Friday’s $200,000
Elkhorn
S. (G2) at Keeneland, the chestnut gelding saw plenty of daylight en route
to a convincing two-length victory. With new rider Rene Douglas aboard, he
rallied in the stretch to finish 1 1/2 miles on the firm turf in 2:29 1/5 for
trainer and co-owner Roger Attfield. Sent off as the 4-1 second choice in the
closing day feature, Spice Route paid $10.20, $5.20 and $4.

Musketier (Ger) (Acatenango) held second by a neck from veteran Brass Hat
(Prized). The 27-1 runner-up gave back $19 and $11.40, while Brass Hat returned
$8.40 to show at 17-1. Buddy’s Humor (Distorted Humor), who was forwardly placed
through dawdling splits of :25 3/5, :50 3/5, 1:14 4/5 and 1:40, struck the front
turning for home, but the 12-1 shot faded inside the final furlong and checked
in another length back in fourth. The exotics were worth $258.20 (exacta),
$3,237.20 (trifecta) and $25,916.20 (4-6-10-3 superfecta).

Always First (GB) (Barathea [Ire]), Better Talk Now (Talkin Man), 3-2
favorite Champs Elysees (GB) (Danehill), Transduction Gold (Formal Gold), Sir
Whimsey (Jump Start), Sudden War (Arg) (Sunray Spirit), Quasicobra (Wild Rush)
and Admiral’s Cruise (A.P. Indy) completed the order of finish. Embossed (Ire)
(Mark of Esteem [Ire]) was withdrawn, as was Sir Dave (Untuttable), who failed
to draw in from the also-eligible list.

Spice Route has now bankrolled $719,947 from a line of 19-5-2-5. He won two
of his first three starts in England in the spring of 2007, but was winless
afterward until his second North American start in an allowance/optional claimer
at Woodbine last August. After finishing fifth by a length in the Northern
Dancer S. (Can-G1) next out, Spice Route completed the exacta at 38-1 in the
Canadian International (Can-G1). He was favored at even-money in the Sky Classic
S. (Can-G2) in his next start, but was caught behind a slow pace and could
manage only a third in a five-horse field. Spice Route broke through with his
first stakes score in the Tropical Turf H. (G3) at Calder in December, and in
his 2009 debut in the aforementioned Mac Diarmida, he closed well for third
after being checked on the far turn.

Bred in England by Usk Valley Stud, Spice Route was produced by the 2001
Italian Oaks (Ity-G1) winner Zanzibar (In the Wings [GB]), who also has an
unraced juvenile colt named Spice Souk (Tiger Hill). This female family has
produced Glint of Gold and Diamond Shoal (GB), full siblings by Mill Reef who
won championships in various European nations, as well as the German highweight
Catella (Ger) (Generous).