Distance, class drop may suit Kool Humor

Kool Humor, who has been facing top-tier 3-year-olds like Ten Most Wanted and Excessivepleasure, takes a drop in class Saturday night for the $35,000 Kingwood at his home track of Sam Houston Race Park.

The Kingwood, a mile and 70-yard stakes for 3-year-olds, also drew Record Assembly, dead-heat winner of the $100,000 Star of Texas.

Kool Humor faced some heavies in his last two races. He finished fourth to Ten Most Wanted in the Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby and was fourth behind winner Comic Truth and runner-up Excessivepleasure in the Grade 3, $150,000 Oklahoma Derby.

Kool Humor will be shortening up in distance, from 1 1/8 miles, for the Kingwood.

"I think the mile and 70 yards will fit him a lot better," said Tom Durant, who owns Kool Humor. "I think we're going to keep him close to the mile range."

All four of Kool Humor's wins have come from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles. His biggest win came over seven furlongs, in the $100,000 Alysheba Breeders' Cup at Lone Star Park.

Trainer Jack Bruner said one of Kool Humor's assets is his speed. Kool Humor worked a sharp three furlongs for the Kingwood and drew well for the race, to the outside of the front-running Record Assembly in post 6.

Kerwin Clark has the mount on Kool Humor.

Record Assembly is looking for his third straight win. He parlayed a conditioned allowance win into a game score in the Star of Texas, which is one of the richest races for Texas-breds. John Jacinto has the mount for owner-trainer Charles Hukill.

Another notable entrant in the Kingwood is Marsh, who invades from Fair Grounds on the heels of a wire-to-wire win in an optional claimer. Jeremy Beasley, who has already won seven stakes this meet, has the mount for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Also in the field is Leo's Last Hurrahy, who is in sharp form.