G1, King Kong Mile
| Hong Kong (HK) Saturday, December 3, 2022 — 2:50:00 PM EST | Race ID : 2804805 | |
| King Kong Mile | |
| Grade I / Group 1*CPU – Purse : $1,500,000 | |
| Restricted to 3 Year Olds and Older | |
| 8 Furlongs | ~1600 Meters | One Mile | Firm Turf |
Last year I had the honor of doing the preview for the G1, King Kong Mile where we saw Bow Fell who is owned by the Neonshadow (East-West Connection Residency) get up for the win with a nice 118 speed rating. This year I do not see him in the cut of this year’s fourteen horse field and thus we will have a new winner in this year’s King Kong Mile. A quick look reveals that this must be a very talented field of horses as for the exception of one entry; all the horses have at least one Graded win to their credit. This year’s King Kong Mile will be across the Firm Turf with a purse of $1,500,000. The odds for the morning line have been posted and the horse’s gate draw has been completed. Let us now take a preview of the fourteen horses that will be running in Hong Kong in the G1, King Kong Mile.
| 1 | NEPTUNE PARK | GB | 4M | sprinter4 | E Newcomb | 10 | 6 | 90% | $281,830 | 62.00 | 9/1 |
First, we will see this 4 year old Bay Colt that is a scratch Bred (NATHANIEL x REDOUTE’S CHOICE x MONSUN). Although the Neonshadow master stable does not have last year’s winner Bow Fell in this race, he found this one as a good replacement. This horse has been doing very well this season and has only missed hitting the boards one time and that was two starts back in the G3, The Rennen Classic. But last time out he rebounded when he ran on 10/08/2022 in Sweden when he traveled 9.5 furlongs in the G3, Hurricane Red Cup. He went gate to wire in this race at a blistering pace and grabbed the win with a 123 speed rating. If he can pull off another run like that here, he could be a threat. He is dropping down in distance would be my only concern. The owner feels he has a good shot at this one and will be sending his horse out again this year representing the East-West Connection residency.
| 2 | OUT OF HAND | IRE | 4M | rtribbett | D Givins | 15 | 6 | 73% | $606,785 | 140.00 | 12/1 |
Next, we have this 4 year old Bay Colt who was sired by Galileo (GALILEO (IRE) x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x SEEKING THE GOLD). He has been hitting the boards in many of his races this season and back in March of this year he got up for the win in the G3, Intercontinental Trophy in New Zealand. Last time out we saw him on the track in Paris on 10/30/2022 going 8 furlongs in the G3, What’s It Worth. He showed up with another good effort this time out as he closed from sixth at the third call to find his way into second for another hit on the boards with a 115 speed rating. Two starts back this horse did not run well in the G1, The Queen Liz Stakes, but the owner feels his horse has gotten things back on track and is ready for this start. He will come out of the paddock this Saturday and over to the turf representing The Mecca residency.
| 3 | NYSP STANDS | ENG | 4M | doodlegbs1 | M Mason | 25 | 11 | 76% | $753,738 | 98.00 | 6/1 |
This is a 4 year old Bay Colt that is a scratch bred (FRANKEL (GB) x SADLER’S WELLS x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY). He has three wins in a row coming into this start on Saturday. Two starts back he found a big hit on the boards when he got up for the win in the G2, Walnut BB Mile with a 119 speed rating. He was dropped down in Class for his most recent start on 11/05/2022 when he went 8 furlongs in Kentucky in an Owner Restricted Listed Stakes, URC Breeders Championship Mile. He faced a big 20 horse field in this race but got the job done when he nailed down the win by two lengths with a 119 speed rating again. He gets his first G1 start this season here in Hong Kong and looks to find his fourth win in a row with a favored jockey up top in the saddle. They will make their way out together and over to their post draw representing the Universal Racing Club residency.
| 4 | SHADY CRYSTALS | IRE | 4G | lankajoe2 | K Withycombe | 15 | 3 | 73% | $548,570 | 148.00 | 9/1 |
Next, we have this 4 year old Bay Gelding who was sired by Crystal Ocean (CRYSTAL OCEAN (GB) x KINGMAMBO x SAINT BALLADO). He has been running a hard graded schedule this season and all at the distance of 8 furlongs. He has had two misses this season of which he did not hit the boards. Back in April of this season he got up for the win in the G2, The Bourbon Mile. Last time out he ran in Italy on 10/16/2022 going 8 furlongs in the G1, The DiCaprio Handicap where he found a spot in third out the starting gate. He would hold that spot throughout the race and where he crossed the wire one and a half lengths off with a 117 speed rating. The horse appears to be running well for the owner who is seeking to get his gelding a big G1 win this Saturday when they come out in the post parade representing the Hoosier Racing residency.
| 5 | RYANS SLOW | AUS | 5M | jsbstables | H Ross | 22 | 6 | 50% | $248,657 | 43.00 | 11/1 |
This is a 5 year old Bay Horse who was sired by Adelaide (ADELAIDE (IRE) x FASTNET ROCK (AUS) x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY). This season this horse has only missed hitting the boards one time in his five starts and that miss was back in January in an Allowance race. After doing well in his other Allowance races this season the owner moved him up in Class in his most recent start when he ran in Illinois on 09/25/2022 going 8 furlongs in the G3, The Harry Carey Memorial. It was a very good start for him as he closed sharply down the final stretch to get up for the win with a 119 speed rating. He comes into this weekend’s race with two wins in a row and the owner would really love to see his horse come up with another good race here in Hong Kong when he is sent out to his starting gate representing the All-Stars Racing residency.
| 6 | TWIST AND SNITZ | AUS | 4G | ginntonic | R Hansen | 19 | 6 | 74% | $495,449 | 94.25 | 9/1 |
Next out we will see this 4 year old Bay Gelding that was sired by Snitzel (SNITZEL x DUBAWI (IRE) x MONSUN). This horse was sent out in April of this season to run in a Claiming race and was picked up for $150,000 and 300 BP’s. The claim proved to be a good one when this horse came out and put up two speed ratings in a couple of Listed Stakes that were 120 and 121. After those two nice Listed Stakes starts, he was moved up in Class to run in the G2, The Big Europe Mile of which he grabbed the lead early and held on for the win. Last time out he was pushed to go 9 furlongs in New York on 10/22/2022 in the G1, The Deep Impact. He balked at the added distance and after the third call faded back to cross the wire in tenth with a 109 speed rating. The owner is in hope that the drop back to 8 furlongs this Saturday will spark the interest in his horse to perform much better. They will come out at post time and over to their gate representing the Drunken Jockeys Club residency.
| 7 | BOURBON BOY | ENG | 4M | adschus02 | D Zordich | 19 | 6 | 58% | $549,240 | 96.00 | 9/1 |
This is a 4 year old Bay Colt who was sired by Sepoy (SEPOY x SEA THE STARS x A.P. INDY). In his five starts this season he has picked up three stakes wins and been off the boards in the other two. Back in May he got up for a nice win in the G3, The Nordic Chemical with a 122 speed rating. Last time out he fought out another good race on 11/05/2022 when he went 8 furlongs in New Zealand in the G2, Church Mound Stakes. He stayed just off the lead throughout this race and then found some extra effort in his stretch run to get up for the win by one and a half strides with a 117 speed rating. This horse can put up some big speed ratings when he wants to and that will be the question this Saturday, will he want to? He has the ability in those fast moving legs and if he has a good trip and his mind is in the game, he could have a nice race this weekend in Hong Kong when he comes out to represent the Blazing Saddles residency.
| 8 | DENIALS | IRE | 3M | cjt | M Humbo | 13 | 4 | 46% | $189,510 | 36.00 | 36/1 |
Coming out next will be this 3 year old Bay Colt who was sired by No Nay Never (NO NAY NEVER x DUBAWI (IRE) x AGNES TACHYON). This horse is the only horse in the field without a Graded win, but it is not due to the lack of trying. Back in May of this year he came in second in the G3, Moussac which is his only hit on the boards in a graded start. Last time out this horse ran on 11/06/2022 in New South Wales going 8 furlongs in the G2, The Emirates. This would turn out to be another disappointing start for him when he crossed the wire well back in seventh with a 109 speed rating. He is again being sent out to face this field of older horses as he goes off as the longest choice in the morning line. He will come out of the paddock and make his way over to the turf representing the East-West Connection residency.
| 9 | VOMER | ENG | 4M | mharris | T Small | 19 | 11 | 79% | $731,351 | 116.50 | 8/1 |
This is a 4 year old Bay Colt who was sired by Frankel (FRANKEL (GB) x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x A.P. INDY). He has had some nice races this season and has put up some nice speed ratings to go along with it. He ran a 112 for the win in the G3, The Silver Surfer and a 117 for the win in the G2, The Rennen Mile. But his four race winning streak would come to an end when he made his most recent start in Italy on 10/16/2022 going 8 furlongs in the G1, The DiCaprio Handicap. He struggled throughout this race and could never find a good position where he wanted to run. He would show up at the wire in a disappointing sixth with a 110 speed rating. He gets the call for another G1 opportunity here in Hong Kong and the owner is looking for him pop with a big effort this weekend when they make their way out of the paddock representing the All-Stars Racing residency.
| 10 | REFRESH THE MIND | AUS | 4M | coagulate8 | GD Mate | 18 | 5 | 56% | $725,045 | 129.25 | 13/1 |
Next, we have this 4 year old Bay Colt who was sired by Snitzel (SNITZEL x FASTNET ROCK (AUS) x KITTEN’S JOY). Three starts back he picked up a nice win in the G2, Dell Web Mile in California with a 118 speed rating. This horse has also had two G1 opportunities this season of which he could not find the boards. But he gets another shot this weekend here in Hong Kong after another nice start his last time out on 10/30/2022 in Italy where he went 8 furlongs in the G2, The Ribot. By the third call he found himself up by a head and went on to open up the gap and get to the wire first with a 110 speed rating. This horse likes to run at or near the front in his best starts. He seems to run best when breaking from some of the gates closer to the rail, so we will have to see how he does from a gate a little further out. Look for him to be sent out early and to the front when he breaks from his gate representing the East-West Connection residency.
| 11 | COUNTER INSURGENCY | GB | 3M | pogs3 | J Cox | 11 | 5 | 82% | $733,495 | 152.00 | 21/1 |
Here we have a 3 year old Bay Colt who was sired by Frankel (FRANKEL (GB) x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x SEA THE STARS). Back in March this horse picked up the win in the G3, Irish 2000 Guineas Trial. He has also found the boards this season in some other graded starts. Last time out he ran on 11/06/2022 going 8 furlongs in New Zealand in the G1, New Zealand 2000 Dark Beers. He put up a very good effort in this race to move into second down the stretch and that is where he would cross the wire with a 116 speed rating. This horse has never run outside of his age group this season, but he will be asked to do so for the first time this weekend when he will face some older horses. He needs to show up with another big speed rating as he showed in his most recent start to remain competitive against this field. He goes off as one of the longer choices in the morning line, but the owner feels his horse has earned this opportunity here in Hong Kong when he is sent out to the turf representing the GR Simsters residency.
| 12 | SAMMY TWO FACE | FR | 4G | givenhot8 | Q Cassell | 18 | 6 | 83% | $636,008 | 186.00 | 8/1 |
Next, we will see this 4 year old Bay Gelding who was sired by Siyouni (SIYOUNI x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x KRIS S.). This horse has been doing very well for the owner this year picking up two wins in seven starts this season and has only missed hitting the boards one time. Back in April of this year this horse got up for the win in the G2, The Ted Nugent Classic. He has had many other hits on the boards in other graded starts including his most recent trip to the track in New Zealand on 10/15/2022 when he went 8 furlongs in the G3, Chief Cook Stakes. This late closer ran his normal style race when he fired down the stretch to weave his way forward to cross the wire in second with a 117 speed rating. The owner likes his horse here for this start in Hong Kong and is in hopes that there is a fast pace early to setup his late closer in this race. They will make their way out of the paddock at post time representing the GR Simsters residency.
| 13 | OASIS ON THE SEA | ENG | 5M | stockswami0 | K Ledwith | 20 | 7 | 55% | $3,015,610 | 256.00 | 7/1 |
This is a 5 year old Bay Horse who was sired by Oasis Dream (OASIS DREAM (GB) x SEA THE STARS x DANEHILL). This season this horse already has two G1 wins in his pocket and seeks another one this weekend. Back in April he ran a 117 to get the win in the G1, Sidney Mile and in June he had a 120 to get the win in the G1, The Queen Sam. His two most recent starts have not been as kind, but his owner thinks his horse can pick up another G1 win before the end of the season. Last time out we saw this horse run on 11/05/2022 in Kentucky going 8 furlongs in the Breeders’ Bowl Mile. He struggled throughout this race and was never a factor as he crossed under the wire in tenth with a 108 speed rating. This horse likes to close late in his best starts and will be seeking to rebound here in Hong Kong after that grueling start in Kentucky. The horse has one of his favorite jockeys in the saddle this weekend and they will come out in the post parade to the cheers of an excited crowd.
| 14 | THREE LEGS OR FIVE | IRE | 4M | givenbonanza | O A Haack | 14 | 6 | 79% | $396,175 | 106.00 | 10/1 |
In the far outside post, we have this 4 year old Bay Colt that is a scratch bred (GALILEO (IRE) x KINGMAMBO x SADLER’S WELLS). He has thus far picked up five wins this season in his eight prior starts which include a second place finish back in May in the G2, The Dishpan. But he would come out in his most recent start and show what he has got when ran in Germany on 10/30/2022 going 8 furlongs in the G3, The Von Bremen. He stalked just off the lead and then started to give some extra effort late. He would grab the lead in his stretch run for the wire and go on to win with a 117 speed rating. After that fine performance the owner feels this horse is ready to move up for a G1 opportunity, which he will get this weekend in Hong Kong. Look for him to stalk the lead and close late when he breaks from his gate representing the GR Simsters.
Good luck to all owners and horses!
Skippy’s Watch List
3-NYSP Stands: Has three wins in a row. Can he make it four?
4-Shady Crystals: Has hit the boards in two most recent graded starts. Does he strike here?
13-Oasis On The Sea: Coming off a tough race but has two G1 wins this season. Does he get his third?
Tarton’s Long Shot
10-Refresh The Mind: He has two G2 wins this season, but he has also failed in two prior G1 starts. He is going off at 13/1 in the morning line and this front runner needs to outlast this field and pace himself to get a win here. His speed ratings could for sure be a little stronger and if he comes out with his best of efforts, he could get a strike somewhere on the boards. He is also going to be pushed upfront early in this race by some other horses with early speed. He needs to show he can handle a tough crowd here and I am going to give him a shot on some exotic tickets at the betting window this weekend.
Thanks for the write up and congrats to Beerkeg. Vomer couldn’t quite get there.