Kevin Doyle’s Layabout delivered a front-running performance of authority on Saturday, making all under David Egan to land the William L. McKnight Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park and announce himself as a rising force in the staying division.
The 1½-mile turf contest, the 59th running of the William L. McKnight Stakes, was part of a landmark afternoon at Gulfstream, staged on a 13-race card that celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational. Against that high-profile backdrop, Layabout showed composure and class beyond his years.
Fresh from a decisive victory in the Tropical Park Derby in December, the Patrick Biancone-trained four-year-old was tackling older rivals in stakes company for the first time. Egan, riding with confidence, sent Layabout straight to the front and settled into a measured rhythm. The son of Laoban controlled matters through sensible early fractions, covering the opening mile in 1:37.85 after posting splits of 22.97 and 47.85 seconds.
As the field turned for home, Layabout lengthened with purpose. Shaking free at the head of affairs, he maintained his momentum through the stretch and crossed the line 1¼ lengths clear, stopping the clock at 2:25.27 for the testing trip.
Padiddle produced a strong late run from the rear under Manuel Franco to claim second, while Balnikhov, partnered by Joel Rosario, stayed on gamely to finish a close third. Act a Feel, who had applied early pressure, faded after helping ensure an honest tempo.
The victory underlined Layabout’s progression since arriving on the turf scene and suggested that longer-distance graded races could now be firmly within his compass. For Doyle and Biancone, it was a performance that blended tactical execution with genuine staying power — the hallmark of a serious turf performer.
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