King Humor steps up to stakes company in Roar

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The undefeated King Humor will venture into stakes company for the first time here Saturday when he takes on seven rivals in the $75,000 Roar, a seven-furlong dash restricted to 3-year-olds who have never won a stakes. The Roar will share top billing on the 12-race card with its filly counterpart, the $75,000 Game Face.

King Humor was an instant sensation when he won his debut here Feb. 2 by four widening lengths and earning a 96 Beyer Speed Figure. He didn’t run nearly as fast when he returned April 1, but was fast enough to win a six-furlong optional claimer.

“I think he’s ready for a stakes,” said trainer Victor Barboza Jr. “He’s a very talented horse, very professional, and I think he’ll like seven furlongs even better than six.”

King Humor’s top challenger is Hazit, who faced the best of his generation after winning his debut last summer at Saratoga. Hazit has started twice since an eighth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, running second as the 4-5 choice under optional-claiming conditions at Tampa Bay Downs before stumbling at the start to lose all chance in the Grade 3 Jack Ruby Steaks last month at Turfway Park.

The Game Face lured a well-matched field of 10, with speed aplenty in the lineup. Starcloud, a winner of three of her four starts, and the undefeated Miss Jak – both former claimers – figure among the key contenders. Others include My Favorite Gift, stakes-placed Alliya’s Story, and the fleet Toni Ann’s Miracle, the winningest horse in the field with four victories.