King of Speed targets BC Juvenile Turf; Vasilika eyes Goldikova

ARCADIA, Calif. – King of Speed will start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, while Vasilika will remain in California and miss the BC Filly and Mare Turf at Churchill Downs next month, their trainers said on Sunday.

King of Speed, who won his second stakes in the Zuma Beach Stakes for 2-year-olds at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 8, will be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program at a cost of $100,000, trainer Jeff Bonde said. The hefty fee is due in advance of the pre-entry deadline on Oct. 22. King of Speed was not nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program as a yearling for $500.

“He’s paid his way,” Bonde said.

Owned by David and John Del Secco, King of Speed has won 2 of 6 starts and earned $145,980. The wins have come in stakes, beginning with the Del Mar Juvenile Turf on Sept. 2. Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens rides King of Speed, who is by Jimmy Creed.

Aside from the nomination, the pre-entry and entry fees for the BC Juvenile Turf at a mile are a combined $30,000.

Vasilika won her second consecutive stakes, and first Grade 1, in the $301,035 Rodeo Drive Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Sept. 29, her seventh consecutive win. On Sunday, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Vasilika will be pointed for the Grade 2 Goldikova Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 4, a prep for the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar on Dec. 2.

Hollendorfer said the international competition in the $2 million Filly and Mare Turf was a pivotal reason not to target the race.

“I think it’s the best call,” Hollendorfer said. “We beat good horses last time, but we’re running against better horses in that race.”

Vasilika has won 12 of 26 starts and earned $620,595. She is owned by Hollendorfer, All Schlaich Stables, Gatto Racing, and George Todaro. A 4-year-old filly by Skipshot, Vasilika was claimed for $40,000 in February and subsequently has earned $471,528.