Kim K has first stakes victory in Barretts Debutante

CYPRESS, Calif. - Kim K won her stakes debut and gave apprentice jockey Heriberto Figueroa his first stakes win in Saturday’s Barretts Debutante at Los Alamitos.

Racing from an inside post in a field of five, Kim K ($8) disputed the pace before taking the lead in early stretch. She extended her advantage in the final furlong to win by three lengths over 4-5 Square Peggy.

“She could have packed it in and she kind of fought back,” trainer Peter Miller said. “I was impressed with this race.

“I didn’t like the rail draw. The inside has been a disadvantage.”

Kim K ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.28 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 70.

Square Peggy, the winner of a maiden special weight race for California-breds at Del Mar in her second start on Aug. 15, fought for the lead and finished 2 1/2 lengths in front of 9-5 Naughty Tiger, who won the CTBA Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar on Aug. 1 in her third start.

Naughty Tiger disputed the pace with Kim K and Square Peggy before fading from contention. Shanghai Barbie and Derby Royalty completed the order of finish.

Kim K, a filly by Will Take Charge, was purchased for $335,000 at the Barretts April Sale of 2-year-olds in training. The Debutante was restricted to horses offered at sales conducted by Barretts.

Owned by Rockingham Ranch, Kim K earned $56,000 on Saturday and now has career earnings of $57,200. Kim K was the only Kentucky-bred in the field. The other four runners were California-breds.

Kim K will be considered for the $75,000 Anoakia Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs at Santa Anita on Oct. 14, Miller said.

Figueroa, 18, tied for the riding title here in July and began Saturday’s card tied for the lead at the three-week county fair meeting that runs through Sept. 23. He finished fifth in the standings at the Del Mar summer meeting.

Figueroa has had five stakes mounts in his career, which began last winter.