Stayers' Watch: W.L. McKnight Handicap · 29.12.09

Cloudy’s Knight, the 9-year-old wonder, solidified his claim as the top pure stayer in North America by winning the 1 1/2 mile W.L. McKnight Handicap (G2) at Calder Race Course in Miami on 26 December.

As expected, Presious Passion gunned to the early lead in the McKnight, but unlike in previous races he had company as Livingston Street forced the early pace. The pre-race favourite was pressured into early fractions of 23.26 for 1/4 mile and and 46.78 for 1/2 mile. Presious Passion was able to turn back Livingston Street and open up a six-length lead, but had nothing left to turn back the challenge of Spice Route, who caught him entering the final turn. Cloudy’s Knight and Winchester moved up at the same time, and also caught Presious Passion in the stretch despite the pace-setter’s game efforts to hang on. Spice Route looked to have it won at the 16th-pole, but with a final surge Cloudy’s Knight took the lead and drew away to a 1 1/4 length win. Spice Route held second, with Winchester taking third — Presious Passion eventually faded to fifth. Time for 1 1/2 miles on the firm Calder turf course: 2:27.63.

Champion Stayer Award standings — update:

  1. Cloudy’s Knight — 24 points
  2. Champs Elysees — 14 points
  3. Brass Hat — 14 points
  4. Spice Route — 14 points
  5. Midships — 12 points
  6. Summer Bird — 10 points
  7. Man of Iron — 10 points
  8. Conduit — 10 points
  9. Interpatation — 10 points
  10. Just As Well — 10 points
  11. Telling — 10 points
  12. Spring House — 10 points
  13. Perfect Shower — 10 points

Initially slated to be given a winter’s rest after the Valedictory, Cloudy’s Knight’s connections decided to send him to Calder and the McKnight Handicap. His win puts him 10 points ahead of his nearest competitors, and clinches the Unofficial Champion Stayer Award for 2009. The only remaining stayers’ stakes race, the ungraded Gallant Fox at Aqueduct on 31 December, is worth only four points to the winner under the existing points system.

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What do you think?

  1. There is still the 13 furlong Gallant Fox December 31st at Aqueduct. Could be a long price, or, more likely chalk

    — Dr. T. Yatcak · Dec 31, 10:33 AM · #

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