Oaklawn: Kings Command upsets

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Kings Command swept past Boots on Saturday late to win the $50,000 King Cotton Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths at Oaklawn Park.

It was another two lengths back in third to Bidis, while favorite Robin De Nest finished fifth.

Kings Command raced several lengths off the pace set by Boots on Sunday, who ran the opening four furlongs of the six-furlong race in 45 seconds while under pressure from Kettle Man and Slider. At the top of the stretch, Kings Command had two horses beat, but unleashed a powerful rally to run down the leaders under jockey Luis Quinonez.

Kings Command, who won an optional claiming race at Churchill Downs one start prior to the King Cotton, covered the distance over a fast track in a meet-best time of 1:09.80 and returned $15.80. He earned $30,000 for the win, which improved his bankroll to $279,003. Kings Command, who is trained by Bob Holthus, has now won 8 of 31 starts for owner Eugene Grandon.