Knightsbridge marches on with G3 Gulfstream Park Mile rout

Knightsbridge earned himself a chance in G1 company as he registered a third straight G3 success with another convincing display in the Gulfstream Park Mile on Saturday, 28 February. 

The Bill Mott-trained five-year-old, a dominant winner of the Mr Prospector Stakes and Fred W Hooper Stakes at the same Gulfstream Park course on his previous two starts, broke on terms and disputed second on the outside of Bernin Hot. 

Mika led the five runners, with Knightsbridge moving up to a clear second after the first quarter-mile before cruising up to join the leader under a motionless Junior Alvarado with three furlongs left. 

Knightsbridge immediately took control and streaked clear under minimal persuasion entering the straight, with the Nyqusit entire coasting home to cross the line 11 and a quarter lengths in front. 

A half-brother to G1 Carter Handicap winner and current Darley stallion Speaker’s Corner, Knightsbridge looks set to be aimed at the G1 Churchill Downs Stakes on Kentucky Derby Day – a race Cody’s Wish won in 2023. 

Bill Mott said: “We figured that Mika might show some speed and go to the lead, which we were fine with. We were going to be content to track him, and that’s what Knightsbridge did until the three-eighth pole. That’s his last race here and he will most likely go to Kentucky now.”