Aikenite, ridden by John Velazquez, prevailed in the Grade 2 Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland. The 6-5 post-time favorite closed strongly to overpower Cool Bullet. The second choice at even money, Wise Dan, finished fourth in the field of five. The owner of Aikenite, Dogwood Stable, won their eighth stakes race at Keeneland. This is a nice victory on Toyota Bluegrass day for Aikenite who finished eighth in last year's Bluegrass Stakes.
The win makes it two in a row for trainer Todd Pletcher today. Pletcher said after the race, "Both of these horses have been training really well. We've been looking forward to running Aikenite here for a while now. He seems to like the surface and came into (the Commonwealth) really well."
Aikenite paid $4.60, $3.20, and $2.40. Second place finisher Cool Bullet paid $6.00 and $3.80. Le Grand Cru paid $4.00 for third.
Photo: Courtesy Keeneland
