King Kreesa may point for Fourstardave

Trainer David Donk came to Saratoga believing he would run King Kreesa in the West Point Stakes for New York-breds. But as things have developed, Donk is now strongly leaning toward running the 7-year-old gelding in the Grade 1 Fourstardave here next Saturday.

King Kreesa has run in two of the last three runnings of the Fourstardave, finishing second to Wise Dan, beaten 1 1/4 lengths, in 2013 and fourth, beaten a length to Grand Arch last year.

As was the case in each of those two years, King Kreesa is coming off an open company stakes win at Belmont Park. King Kreesa beat Force the Pass by a nose in the Forbidden Apple at this year’s spring meeting. Force the Pass is expected for the Fourstardave as are Grand Arch, last year’s Fourstardave winner, Ring Weekend, and Tourist.

Horses that won’t be running in the Fourstardave include Tepin, Ironicus, and Obviously.

“Short field, quality, and setup of the race,” Donk said for his reasons for running. “And, I believe I have [Irad]. The race has taken a different shape than it was three weeks ago.”