Kings River Knight notches third consecutive stakes win with California Dreamin'
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DEL MAR, Calif. - The team of Kings River Knight and jockey Juan Hernandez recorded their ninth stakes win together in Saturday’s $152,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes at Del Mar.
Similar to many of their preceding wins, the victory was easy to predict and accomplished in a familiar style.
Hernandez had the 7-year-old Kings River Knight on the lead shortly after the start and was able to hold off a sustained threat through the stretch from 7-2 Aligato.
“The horse is special to me,” Hernandez said.
Kings River Knight ($3.40) ran 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:41.28 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 90.
The California Dreamin’ Stakes, for statebreds, was Kings River Knight’s third consecutive stakes win, and eighth win in nine starts since a second-place finish in the 2023 California Dreamin’ Stakes. Kings River Knight did not start in the 2024 running.
On Saturday, Kings River Knight led by as much as a length through a fair pace of 23.56 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.33 for a half-mile.
Kings River Knight led by 1 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining, and that advantage proved to be the difference. Aligato closed from sixth of 10 to get within a half-length of Kings River Knight at the finish.
“He broke running,” Hernandez said. “He showed speed and put himself on the lead.”
Aligato, an 8-year-old gelding who won the Unusual Heat Turf Classic at Santa Anita in January 2022, finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of 38-1 Annan, the third-longest shot in a field of 10.
The remaining order of finish was Takes Three, Mr. Disrespectful, Clouseau, Barely Funtional, Coalinga Road, Mystic Spirit and Miss Jo’s Curlin.
Kings River Knight, a gelding by Acclamation, has won 13 of 20 starts and earned $855,530. He races for the partnership of Integrity Thoroughbreds, the family of the late Bud Johnston, and Kenneth Tevelde and trainer John Sadler.
All nine of Kings River Knight’s stakes wins have been in races for California-breds since May 2023.
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