King Kreesa targets Ashley T. Cole Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer David Donk's decision to run King Kreesa back on six days' rest in the $150,000 West Point Stakes at Saratoga on Friday paid off handsomely, as the horse set all the pace in the 1 1/16-mile race and showed heart in deep stretch to hold off a strong bid from Kharafa by a nose.

King Kreesa is now 2 for 3 in the West Point, a New York-bred turf race he won in 2014 and was second in last year.

King Kreesa finished fourth in the Grade 2 Fourstardave on Aug. 20. There were originally scheduled to be 13 days between the Fourstardave and the West Point, but part of the Aug. 13 card at Saratoga was canceled due to severe storms, and the Fourstardave was moved back a week.

"It was not an easy decision, but I'm a little bit old school, and I'm not afraid to run them back quick," said Donk, who early in his career worked for the legendary horseman Woody Stephens.

On Saturday morning, Donk said he would now point King Kreesa to the $125,000 Ashley T. Cole, a 1 1/8-mile turf race for statebreds at Belmont Park on Sept. 24.

Donk skipped the Cole with King Kreesa last year and instead went to the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland, where he finished sixth.

"We'll probably stay with New York-breds this year and look at the Cole and then the Mohawk," Donk said. "That was part of yesterday's decision. There are limited opportunities for his division."

Donk said King Kreesa came out of the West Point in good shape.

"He bounced out of it well," he said. "He has a big constitution, and the grass is easier on them than the dirt."

King Kreesa, 7, races for his breeders, Gerald and Susan Kresa. King Kreesa has now won 11 of 34 starts and $1.37 million.

"His owners are great people and were very happy with the win," Donk said. "They left the decision whether to run up to me, and I'm glad it turned out well for them."