G1, King Kong Mile: Tight field of fourteen across the turf.
| Hong Kong (HK) Saturday, December 4, 2021 — 2:50:00 PM EST | Race ID : 2618675 | |
| 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 |
It is a big weekend over in Hong Kong with several Graded races on the card. One of those races will be the G1, King Kong Mile. We will see a full field of fourteen horses line up in the starting gate on Saturday afternoon as they ready themselves to travel across the Firm Turf surface. The race is restricted to 3 year old and older horses as they travel in pursuit of a $1.5 million dollar purse and have hopes of getting to the winner’s circle to collect their prize. The morning line has been set for Saturday’s race and the post positions have been drawn. Let us now take a preview of the horses that will start in the G1, King Kong Mile.
| 1 | STREET GOSSIP | ENG | 5G | connection | A Jolly | 24 | 8 | 75% | $313,264 | 60.00 | 9/1 |
Coming out first will be this 5 year old Bay Gelding that was sired by Muhaarar. This horse has proven to run very well this season for the owner only missing the boards in two of his starts. He found the boards with a second place finish in California back in September when he traveled 8 furlongs in the G2, Walnut BB Mile. He got caught late in this gate to wire attempt. His most recent outing came on 10/31/2021 in Italy when he went 8 furlongs in the G2, The Ribot. He had the lead early in this race but started to fall back by the time of the third call. He went on to lose more ground in his stretch run to cross the wire back in seventh with a 100 speed rating. The owner will be calling in jockey, A Jolly from Louisiana to come in and take the ride on Saturday with his horse. The jockey will be looking to get a better effort in this race from this horse’s last trip in Italy. I look for this jockey to take this horse to the front early when they break from their gate representing the East-West Connection residency.
| 2 | WORKS FOR CARROTS | KY | 4G | aussiebiz2 | L Radzinski | 15 | 5 | 73% | $642,540 | 80.00 | 11/1 |
Next out will be this 4 year old Bay Gelding that was sired by Astern. This season he showed up third in Victoria in the G1, Sidney Mile back in April. He had a couple of disappointing starts and then came out for his most recent trip to the track on 10/09/2021 going 8 furlongs in Sweden in the G3, One Mile Classic. He lingered just off the lead in this race and by the time of the third call he had grabbed the lead and went on to get the win by two and a half at the wire with a 113 speed rating. The owner will move him back up to challenge in this G1 start on Saturday and has called upon jockey, L Radzinski from Washington to come in and take the ride up top. Look for this jockey to keep this horse close to the front early on in this race when they hit the turf representing the Only Stayers residency.
| 3 | BOW FELL | JPN | 4G | neonshadow9 | E Newcomb | 18 | 7 | 78% | $705,494 | 161.00 | 6/1 |
Breaking from post three will be this 4 year old Bay Gelding that was sired by Deep Impact. This horse has never been off the boards this season and is a G2 winner. Back in July he ran in Tasmania going 9 furlongs in the G2, Turf Invaders Stakes and picked up the win with a nice closing stretch run to get up by over two strides with a 119 speed rating. He then ran second in the G3, The Strange Hall in Berkshire. This led up to his most recent trip when he came out on 10/16/2021 to go 9 furlongs in Japan in the G2, The Main Oak. He would again take control in his stretch run for the wire to get up for another win with a 118 speed rating. He will now travel to Hong Kong to see if he can keep his season record of never missing the boards intact. The owner is calling in regular jockey, E Newcomb from out of Ireland to again take the ride with his horse. They are shaving off a furlong when they start on Saturday from this horse’s most recent races, but he did run well at this 8 furlong distance earlier in the season. They will saddle up in the paddock and come out to the turf representing the East-West Connection residency.
| 4 | HAVANA SNOZ | ENG | 4G | anothercrick8 | C Gerhke | 17 | 6 | 53% | $565,266 | 40.00 | 9/1 |
Here we have a 4 year old Bay Gelding that was sired by Havana Gold. He is a prior G2 winner of which he found that win last year in G2, The St. James Tavern as a 3 year old. He has had his share of struggles this season at the Graded level but has picked up a couple of Allowance wins along the way. His most recent trip to the tack we saw him run on 09/26/2021 in Berkshire when he went 8 furlongs in the G1, The Queen Liz Stakes. He ran fairly flat in this race in third and held his position throughout the race. He would go on to finish the race in third with a 114 speed rating. In that race jockey, C Gerhke from Maryland was in the saddle and the owner again makes the call to contract with him to ride his horse here in Hong Kong. In the horses best trips he tends to like being close to the lead and then close late. We will await to see what kind of trip this jockey will try and give this horse when they break from their gate representing the Only Stayers residency.
| 5 | KING OF PAYNE | JPN | 4G | texasace | F Gossett | 16 | 7 | 81% | $1,252,432 | 278.00 | 7/1 |
Next out we will see this 4 year old Bay Gelding who is a scratch bred (KING KAMEHAMEHA x MONTJEU x DANZIG). This horse has been running very well this season with multiple first and second place finishes. Back in July of this season he ran 8 furlongs in Newmarket in the G1, The Suffix. He was in eleventh at the third call when he found a new gear and roared down the stretch to get up by a head at the wire with a 116 speed rating. He came back out to run second in Berkshire in the G1, The Queen Liz Stakes. Then came his most recent outing where he hit the wall in California when he ran on 11/06/2021 in the G1, Breeders’ Bowl Mile. Every horse can have a bad day and in this race he just could never find the kick he needed in his stretch run against this field. He crossed the wire well back in twelfth with a 106 speed rating. He now comes to Hong Kong where he hopes to rebound from that last start and will have a familiar jockey, F Gossett from California in the saddle to help guide him. They have paired up well in the past together and the owner is in hope of seeing another good performance out of this pair when they come out to the turf to the cheers of an excited crowd.
| 6 | COLLECTORS | KY | 3M | corky | GD Mate | 10 | 6 | 70% | $432,700 | 101.13 | 22/1 |
Now we come to this 3 year old Bay Colt that was sired by Collected. Earlier in the season this horse had been running on the dirt surface and had found only one win at the Allowance level. In May he was transitioned over to the turf where much improvement has been seen in his most recent races. Running on the turf he has never been off the boards and found four wins and a third in those five starts. In August he got the win in the Seattle Habitat Turf Mile, and on 10/02/2021 he got up for the win in the Dante Turf Route in Oklahoma. He then came out for his most recent race on 10/31/2021 in Italy when he traveled 8 furlongs in the G2, The Ribot where he took control at the third call and was able to hold his lead and get up at the wire for the win with a 114 speed rating. He is on a hot streak right now with three wins in a row and is seeking to make it four here in Hong Kong. The jockey up top in the most recent race was GD Mate from New Zealand who again gets the call to come in and saddle up on Saturday. Horse and jockey will need to show up sharp for this race against this tough field when they break from their gate representing the East-West Connection residency.
| 7 | DIABOLUS DESIDERIO | ENG | 5M | babychicks | A Rolling | 25 | 8 | 60% | $1,297,645 | 80.00 | 10/1 |
Here we have a 5 year old Bay Horse who was sired by Oasis Dream. This horse has put together a couple of good races this season and one of those came back in April in Kentucky when he got up for the win in the G2, The Bourbon Mile with a 116 speed rating. In July he went out in New Zealand and showed up second at the wire in the G3, Cold Cup Cap. His most recent race then came on 10/02/2021 going 8 furlongs in Kentucky in the G1, The Sourball Mile. He would struggle on this day and not have one of his best trips when he failed to fire in his stretch run and crossed the wire back in ninth with a 103 speed rating. The owner is hoping to see improvement over that last start when he brings his horse to Hong Kong and calls familiar jockey, A Rolling from British Columbia to come saddle up with his horse. They both look to rebound here on Saturday when they saddle head out to the turf representing the Midas residency.
| 8 | JABUK TOGEM | AUS | 3G | kymar29 | J Scott | 9 | 3 | 100% | $364,620 | 101.50 | 26/1 |
This is a 3 year old Bay Gelding who was sired by I Am Invincible. In nine career starts this horse has never missed hitting the boards. He has proven to be a nice runner for this owner and he keeps moving up in Class gracefully in his efforts. Two races back in September of this year he ran 8 furlongs against older horses and crossed the wire third in the G2, The Stepson. He then came back out for his most recent race in New Zealand going 8 furlongs in the G1, New Zealand 2000 Dark Beers of which he got a second place finish. He stayed just off the lead in this race but could never find the lead in his stretch run. He ran a 112 speed rating that day which was good enough to hold on for that second place finish. In the saddle that day was jockey, J Scott from Ontario who has gotten the call to come saddle up with this horse again in Hong Kong. This horse is the longest choice in the morning line, but with this kind of record he could put up a surprise effort when he leaves his gate representing the Universal Racing Club residency.
| 9 | TIKALASTA | NY | 4M | pattips | W McClendon | 23 | 10 | 83% | $289,330 | 23.25 | 13/1 |
Coming out next will be this 4 year old Bay Colt that was sired by Catomize. This horse has had some nice races for his owner at the Allowance level this season and then on 10/09/2021 he was moved up in Class for his first run in a Graded race. This came in Sweden in the G3, One Mile Classic. He showed up third at the wire with a 110 speed rating. He then came out for his most recent race on 11/06/2021 in Dubai where he traveled 8.5 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Bestest Turf Route. This would be a difficult trip for this horse when he could not find the muscle to compete and was never a factor as he crossed the wire way back in eighth with a 104 speed rating. The owner remains positive as he brings his horse to Hong Kong and gives him a jump up in Class. The owner has made the call to jockey, W McClendon who will be flying in from Vermont to saddle up in the paddock with this horse. They are in hope to show much improvement over that last start when they break from their post draw representing the Pastures of Green residency.
| 10 | BATH ROCKBEAST | AUS | 5M | bathred | J Ledwith | 26 | 8 | 73% | $649,765 | 128.00 | 6/1 |
This is a 5 year old Bay Horse who was sired by Fastnet Rock. He has shown improvement over some of his races earlier in the season. In his four most recent starts he has not missed the boards and collected two wins. Two races back he ran in Germany in September going 8 furlongs in the G2, The Big Europe Mile. He showed up the best in this race as he got up for a nice win with a 117 speed. He then returned to the track for his most recent outing in Italy on 10/17/2021 when he went 8 furlongs in the G1, The DiCaprio Handicap. He was making a closing effort in the stretch after finding himself in seventh at the third call. He was able to weave his way up and cross the wire in third with another hit on the boards with a 109 speed rating. The owner now brings his well running horse to Hong Kong and has contracted with a regular jockey, J Ledwith from Paris who has rode this horse in his two most recent starts. They have paired well together in the past and I look for them to put up a good effort on Saturday when they head over to the turf representing the Empire State Racing residency.
| 11 | A TING DEN | ENG | 4G | orsolya | M Zeus | 17 | 7 | 82% | $527,500 | 68.25 | 18/1 |
Next out in the post parade will be this 4 year old Chestnut Gelding who was sired by Cityscape. He has shown to be a very nice Allowance performer on the track for his owner. He was moved up in Class to run in some stakes level races this season of which he had some struggles. But it was his time to shine when he came out for his most recent trip to the track on 11/07/2021 in New South Wales where he went 8 furlongs on the wet turf in the G2, The Emirates. He had a nicely timed run in this race when his jockey got him to close late and get up for the win by a head at the wire with a 115 speed rating. The owner now has his sights set on Hong Kong for his new G2 winner and has called in jockey, M Zeus from Spain to saddle up and take the ride with his horse. This jockey needs to keep this horse at or near the front in this race when they come out of the paddock to the cheers of an excited crowd.
| 12 | VERIZON IGNITIATE | KY | 6M | masterm07 | K Ledwith | 21 | 9 | 67% | $988,915 | 193.00 | 8/1 |
Here we have a 6 year old Bay Horse who was sired by Verrazano. This will be the patriarch in this field of fourteen, but don’t think his age is slowing him down. He has been sharp in his two most recent trips to the turf. In September he ran in New Zealand going 8 furlongs in the G2, Homelick Challenger. He ran just off the lead in this race and in his stretch run he found some extra effort to propel him to the wire first to pick up the win with a 118 speed rating. He then came back out for his most recent trip on 10/17/2021 when he ran 8 furlongs in Italy in the G1, The DiCaprio Handicap. He was in fourth at the third call just two off the lead. He made a hard and difficult run in his stretch drive, and the timing was on the money as he hit the wire first by a head with a 112 speed rating. On Saturday the owner has his sights on Hong Kong for his horse and has called in jockey, K Ledwith from Japan to come in and take the ride up top. This is a familiar pairing that has worked well together in the past. Look for this horse to stay up close to the leaders in this race and attempt to make a closing effort late in the race. They will come out to the turf and to their post draw representing the GR Simsters residency.
| 13 | CLOTH OF DREAMS | FR | 4M | bobmarley | E C Doyle | 20 | 6 | 65% | $475,770 | 100.50 | 10/1 |
Coming out next we will see this 4 year old Bay Colt who was sired by Cloth Of Stars. This horse has ran well this season with only one disappointing trip which came back in July. He has had two good starts in his two most recent trips to the track. In September he came out in Paris to go 8 furlongs in the G2, The Daniel Wild. He ran a little flat in second. Although he did not make up much ground in this race he did not give up any either. He got his second place finish with a 113 speed rating. He then returned to the track for his most recent race on 10/31/2021 when again he went 8 furlongs in Paris in the G3, What’s It Worth. After being in fifth at the third call he was able to weave his way up into second and crossed the wire with a 112 speed rating. He now comes to Hong Kong where the owner will be calling in regular jockey, E C Doyle from Ireland to again saddle up and make the trip with his horse. This horse is seeking another Graded win here on Saturday and he has come close in his two most recent outings. They will make their way out of the paddock and over to the turf representing the Universal Racing Club residency.
| 14 | MUHAARAY | ENG | 5M | zacehold1 | K Proehl | 19 | 9 | 53% | $1,247,740 | 128.00 | 11/1 |
Breaking from the far outside gate will be this 5 year old Bay Horse who was sired by Muhaarar and that is out of HOF mare, Murf Ray. This horse has been running in some tough races this season and has had only one hit on the boards, but it was a big one. Back in May this horse ran in Surrey in the G1, Locksmith and got up for a very nice win over the field with a 116 speed rating. We have not seen that kind of speed out of this horse in his most recent races and he will need to find a little extra fire come Saturday. This horse was most recently seen racing in Newmarket on 07/25/2021 going 8 furlongs in the G1, The Suffix. By the time of the third call this horse was losing ground and would go on to cross the wire in fourteen place with a 105 speed rating. The owner is looking to see her horse rebound after his two most recent starts and again find a big hit on the boards. The owner is calling in jockey, K Proehl from Oregon to come in and saddle up for this trip. The jockey will need to try and keep his horse close and not allow him to fall off the pace when they break from their gate representing the Only Stayers residency.
Good luck to all owners and horses!
Skippy’s Watch List
3-Bow Fell: Throwing down big SP numbers. What does he do in Hong Kong?
4-Havana Snoz: Looked much improved last time out in Berkshire. Does he hit the boards again?
12-Verizon Ignitiate: Coming in with back to back Graded wins. Does he get three in a row?
Tarton’s Long Shot
6-Collectors: This 3 year old faced older horse’s his last time out and picked up his third win in a row. He continues to show improvement and could make another statement here in Hong Kong with his repeat jockey in the saddle. At 22/1 he might be a good choice at longer odds of which to reap some money at the betting windows on Saturday. Let’s give this one a shot on some exotic tickets.
8-Jabuk Togem: Another 3 year old that has been looking sharp in his two most recent races at the Graded level. He has faced older horses before and held his own. Last time out he ran second in a G1. This young horse is the longest choice in the field at 26/1. He could be another possible surprise here on Saturday and could make some money on some exotic tickets. He looks to hit the boards for the third time in a row in Hong Kong and he is another horse that could upset others in this field.