Exotics Plays for the 2026 Elkhorn Stakes

A full field of turf stayers will travel 1 1/2 miles over the Keeneland lawn in Saturday’s $400,000 Elkhorn (G2). My best value play in the group is #12 Anegada (15-1) for trainer Mike Maker. By Midshipman, the gelding has always shown good ability, but his last two efforts since stretching to marathon trips on the green have arguably been his best performances to date, and he comes in fresh for this tilt with a nice string of morning drills, as well. The four-year-old bay has been third in both lifetime runs on the local strip, and while his outside post is not especially appealing, I trust that Flavien Prat will give him a sensible ride in the contest. 

Elkhorn Exotics Wagers

• $1 trifecta 6,12 with 2,3,6,12 with 2,3,6,7,8,11,12 ($30)
• $.20-cent superfecta 6,12 with 2,3,6,12 with 2,3,6,7,8,11,12 with 2,3,6,7,8,11,12 ($24) 

Grade 1 winner #6 Burnham Square (4-1) has been second in both lifetime runs on the grass and fits well in his second run off the long absence for Ian Wilkes. Liam’s Map gelding just missed in the Nashville Derby (G3) to close out his sophomore season, and the four-year-old rallied to be second to a nice prospect at Gulfstream Park last time at a distance much shorter than his preferred one. The Whitham homebred has trained well in advance of his first run on the green locally and will be a major threat late under Brian Hernandez, Jr. 

I’ll include multiple runners to use in the exotics with my top two. Defending champ #3 Utah Beach (8-1) sports a smart 4-2-0-2 mark on the course and will surely improve in his second run for trainer Brendan Walsh. The English Channel gelding is four-for-10 at the distance and will be in the mix late with his top showing. Sycamore (G2) winner #2 Desvio (8-1) concluded 2025 with a trio of fine outings at similar distances and makes his seasonal debut with John Velazquez on board. 

Multiple Grade 2 winner #7 Truly Quality (5-1), $2.1 million earner #8 Tawny Port (9-2), and Eddie Kenneally’s #11 Freedom’s Way (20-1) all have appeal for the lower rungs of the event.