Kings River Knight returns from 10-month layoff in Sensational Star

ARCADIA, Calif. – The veteran Kings River Knight has been on the sidelines so long one might forget how good he was before he left – six wins and two seconds in his last nine California-bred stakes tries.

But time marches on, and 7-year-old Kings River Knight has not started in 10 months. He faces questions Sunday at Santa Anita. Will he continue to rack up stakes wins, and is he ready to fire first start back?

“He’s actually been ready for a couple weeks,” trainer John Sadler said. “He’s been working well. The other day he went [six furlongs] in 1:13, so he’d be good and fit enough to win the first time. Juan Hernandez has worked him, he’s worked in company a couple times, so we kind of checked all the boxes.”

The rest is up to Kings River Knight, the likely favorite in the $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for California-breds. Eight are entered in the 6 1/2-furlong hillside turf sprint, and though Kings River Knight is the best horse, the stakes is no layup.

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The field includes two-time stakes winner On the Whim, whose closing style suits the pace scenario; Lovesick Blues, runner-up in a Grade 3; Clovisconnection, a multiple stakes winner; and Fast Buck, a Grade 3 winner. The others are Book Smart, Tom Horn, and Lonesome Stew.

Aside from the layoff, Kings River Knight enters the Sensational Star without a knock. He has won 10 races and $649,830 from 16 starts, and ran well in both of his starts on the hill. After he won the one-mile Crystal Water Stakes last May at Santa Anita, he needed time.

“He’d been in training a long time and needed a break, so we kicked him out,” Sadler said. “He’s a gelding, he could be good for quite a while. We’re anxious to get him started.”

Kings River Knight returned to Santa Anita in November, and seems as good as ever.

Kings River Knight drew the inside post for his comeback. “This is probably his only start short,” Sadler said. “He goes back to a mile [next time], that’s where the races are.”

The next route stakes for older California-breds is the Crystal Water on May 24 at Santa Anita. Kings River Knight has won the Crystal Water the last two years.

The last time Kings River Knight sprinted on the hill he won the 2023 California Flag Handicap, rallying from fourth. He could get a similar trip Sunday in a race loaded with speed, including front-runners Lovesick Blues, Clovisconnection, Fast Buck, and Lonesome Stew.

On the Whim benefits by the pace scenario and return to the hill, where he won the California Flag in October. Dean Pederson trains On the Whim, who shortens up after finishing third at 1 1/8 miles last out. Tiago Pereira rides 4-for-11 On the Whim.

Lovesick Blues finished second last out in the Grade 3 San Simeon, his first start after an ownership change and transfer to trainer Librado Boracio. Lovesick Blues dueled in the San Simeon, but typically rallies from behind. That is his likely strategy Sunday under Geovanni Franco.

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