King David J aims to build on streak

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Big Truck, Giant Moon, and Z Fortune are among the elite of the New York-bred 3-year-old division. King David J may be the best statebred 3-year-old you've likely never heard of.

King David J, a son of Precise End, will try to gain some notoriety Sunday when he heads an eight-horse field entered in the $100,000 Times Square Stakes, restricted to progeny of New York-based stallions. The Times Square shares billing with the Park Avenue Stakes for 3-year-old fillies who are by New York-based stallions. Both races are run at seven furlongs over Aqueduct's main track.

After a fourth-place finish in his debut, King David J has reeled off two consecutive eye-catching victories against New York-breds. On Jan. 17, King David J broke like a shot and led every step of the way in winning a six-furlong maiden race by seven lengths. On Feb. 24, King David J again broke well, but found himself stalking another horse before taking over entering the far turn. He opened up a 5 1/2-length lead by midstretch and won by 1 1/2 lengths while being geared down.

"From day one, he showed a lot of talent," said Linda Rice, who trains King David J for the Bad Boys Stable. "We were kind of disappointed when things didn't go well first time out, but since then things have gone pretty well. Hopefully, things will go smoothly on Sunday."

C.C. Lopez rides King David J from post 3.

Rice also will send out Piquante Cat in the Times Square. Piquante Cat has won sprinting on dirt and turf, and finished second in the Great White Way Stakes last fall over the main track. He finished fifth in a second-level allowance race March 8 in the slop.

Rice expects Piquante Cat, who drew post 4, to be on or near the lead, with King David J sitting just off the pace.

Pocatello, a son of City Zip, has won 2 of 3 starts since Maggi Moss claimed the gelding for $35,000 and turned him over to Bruce Levine. Both of his wins came in front-running fashion, and he figures to be gunned from the rail by Rajiv Maragh.

Almighty Silver, who has won his last two starts over the inner track, is running back on just 10 days' rest and is cutting back in distance.

"That's the only concern," trainer Charlton Baker said of the cut in distance. "He likes to relax early and will come with a run."