“He’s a wonderful old guy, isn’t he?” Attfield
Musketier garnered the 2010 Elkhorn in his return from a six-month holiday,
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Pan American winner Rahy’s Attorney (Crown Attorney) attempted to go
wire-to-wire in the Elkhorn, and looked ready to make good that threat for about
11 furlongs. The former Canadian turf champion was firmly in command while
doling out fractions of :25 3/5, :51 1/5, 1:16 3/5 and 1:42 2/5. Miami Deco (Limehouse)
gave chase, with Bearpath (Dynaformer) and Windward Islands (Cozzene) also
prominent for much of the way. Musketier, on the other hand, was reserved
further adrift in the pack by John Velazquez.
Rahy’s Attorney kept motoring past the 1 1/4-mile mark in 2:07 1/5, still
held a 1 1/2-length cushion in midstretch, but couldn’t maintain it in the final
sixteenth. Although Windward Islands was the first closer to loom boldly, it was
the other gray wider out, Musketier, who produced the devastating change of
gear.
Mowing down the longtime leader, Musketier pulled away to an authoritative
score in a final time of 2:32 on the yielding turf. He thus became the third
horse to repeat in the Elkhorn, joining African Dancer (1998-99) and Kim Loves
Bucky (2002-03).
“He does (like Keeneland),” Attfield said. “I have a great respect for Rahy’s
Attorney. You know, we’ve been competitors against each other for a long time
now. He beat me at Gulfstream just this last race (the Pan American). When I saw
him four (lengths) in front turning for home I thought, ‘You know, you get to
that horse and they’ve got a little bit left.’ But my horse ran great today.”
“I broke from the outside,” Velazquez recapped, “and I wanted to make sure
and save some ground. They slowed down when we came around the first time. He
was a little bit keen behind horses, and I was forced to stay there. I didn’t
want to get to the clear too soon and be running off. Once we got to the quarter
pole I moved out and he came through.”
Velazquez wasn’t surprised by the response provided by Musketier.
“No, I knew he has that kick,” the rider said. “He won here last year, so I
was hoping that when I pulled him out he would respond in just the same way and
he did. I was very proud of the way he did it.”
Musketier returned $6.60, $4 and $3 after crossing the wire 1 1/4 lengths
clear. Pool Play (Silver Deputy), who was a dozen lengths back in the early
going, closed energetically for runner-up honors and overhauled Windward Islands
by a length. Simmard (Dixieland Band), Attfield’s other runner, collared Rahy’s
Attorney for fourth. Bearpath, Miami Deco, Mint Chip (Johar), Telling (A.P.
Indy) and the ever-trailing Rezif (Distant View) completed the order of finish.
Winner of the Prix de Conde (Fr-G3) at two, Musketier placed twice at the Group
3 level but failed to win another stakes during his stay in Europe. Third in the
2007 Red Smith H. (G2) in his U.S. debut, the gray was out of action throughout
2008. Runner-up to stablemate Spice Route (GB) (King’s Best) in the 2009 Elkhorn, he captured
that season’s Singspiel S. (Can-G3)
at Woodbine and was second to three-time champion Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat) in the
Man o’ War S. (G1). With this fourth graded score, Musketier has now
bankrolled $771,430 from a line of 37-8-6-5.
Bred in Germany by Gestut Gorlsdorf, Musketier is out of the winning Myth and
Reality (Linamix), a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Miatuschka (General Holme),
stakes winner Master Peace (Irish River [Fr]) and the stakes-placed Mille Miglia
(Exit to Nowhere). She’s also produced the stakes-placed Maisha (Platini).
Musketier’s fourth dam produced German champion colt *Marduk II (*Orsini II) and
his French classic-winning full sister Mata Hari.