Cracking Field for the King Kong Cup

King Kong Cup – Sunday December 5^th, 2021 at 3.00pm EST.

Grade 1/Group 1 $3 million 3yo+.

10 Furlongs/2000 Firm Turf.

We turn our attention to Japan this Sunday for the running of the prestigious King Kong Cup. We have 10 G1 winners amongst the entries to the race and this should be a cracker.

This is one of the best fields I have seen assembled for some time and that is reflected in the odds. Lets take a look at the field.

1. 21142 – Prince Crossing (Workforce) Owned by nexty – Jockey – F. Gossett 8/1.

4yo colt with nice overall record of 20-6-7-2 and banking $2.2 million. Been in good form of late and running impressive times. Last start he was 2^nd in the G1 Coxless Stakes 10F. Sat 12^th around 11 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 6^th around 5 lengths off them on the turn and finished well, beaten 1.5 lengths with an SP of 116. Prior to that he was 4^th in the G1 Windy City Turf Classic 10F behind Late Sleeping B (2^nd). Sat 11^th around 10.5 lengths from the lead. Moved to 8^th, still 7 lengths off them on the turn and stayed on well, beaten 5.5 lengths with an SP of 113. Before that he won the G1 Eclipsed Stakes 10F. Sat 11^th around 11.5 lengths from the lead. Moved to 4^th, still 7 lengths off them on the turn and finished powerfully to win by over 2 lengths with an SP of 117. Prior to that he won the G2 Kinsho Cho Classic 10F. Sat 6^th around 8.5 lengths from the lead. Moved to 3^rd, around 3 lengths off them on the turn and finished to well to win by 2 lengths with an SP of 117. Has started his graded racing with aplomb. Will get back in the run but should be finishing hard. Will be hoping for some pace. If he maintains his form, then he has an undeniable chance.

2. 14204 – Demon Child (Pierro) Owned by crawf682 – Jockey – P. Long 8/1.

5yo horse with a nice record of 24-9-6-1 and banking $4.9 million. If he finishes in the money, he will break the $5 million barrier. Has been in good form despite one blip in his form 2 starts back. Last start he was 4^th in the G1 Coxless Stakes 10F behind Prince Crossing (2^nd). Sat 3^rd around 3 lengths from the lead. Was still 3^rd on the turn but only 1 length off them, before fading the last furlong, beaten 5 lengths with an SP of 113. Prior to that he was 13^th in the G1 Windy City Turf Classic 10F behind a few here. Sat 6^th around 5 lengths from the lead. Dropped to 10^th around 8 lengths off them on the turn and dropped out badly the last furlong, beaten over 19 lengths with an SP of 100. Before that he was 2^nd in the G1 Eclipsed Stakes 10F behind Prince Crossing (1^st). Sat 3^rd around 4 lengths from the lead. Still 3^rd on the turn, around 2 lengths from them. Battled away well the last furlong but no match fir the winner, beaten over 2 lengths with an SP of 115. Prior to that he was 4^th in the G1 Aussie Queen 10F. Sat 3^rd around 2.5 lengths from the lead. Took over on the turn by ¼ of a length but was grabbed late, beaten 2 lengths with an SP of 112. Have a few ahead of him and can’t see him turning the tables on the few horses that beat him lately. He will sit right on pace and should be in it for a long way. Chance.

3. 32124 – Henty Angel (Dansili) Owned by chatham01 – Jockey – M. Scott 7/1.

5yo horse with nice overall record of 19-6-3-4 and banking $1.7 million. Been in terrific form of late and forgive last run on a shifting track which he clearly didn’t like. He is a definite winning chance here. Last start he was 4^th in the G1 Coffeefields Cup 12F on a good track. Sat 6^th around 10.5 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 4^th, around 13 lengths off them on the turn and only battled to the line, beaten over 14 lengths with an SP of 103. Prior to that he was 2^nd in the G1 Champion Stakes 10F. Sat 8^th around 8 lengths from the lead. Moved to 5^th still around 5 lengths off them on the turn and finished okay, though no match for the winner, beaten over 2 lengths with an SP of 119. Before that he won the G2 New York Stakes 10.5F. Sat 2^nd around 5.5 lengths from the lead. Still 2^nd on the turn, around 4 lengths off them but finished powerfully the last furlong to win by 1 length with an SP of 121. Prior to that he was 2^nd in the Prince of Whales 10F behind Aspirationofpraise (1^st). Sat 6^th around 9 lengths from the lead. Moved to 5^th around 5 lengths from them on the turn and finished well, though well held by the winner, beaten just over 2 lengths with an SP of 118. 12F seems a bit to far for him and suited back to his pet distance on a firm track, can only see him finishing in the money. Big chance.

4. 25316 – Time for a Ring (Galileo) Owned by zkingab5 – Jockey – R. Radzinski 7/1.

5yo gelding with a nice record of 26-11-3-3 and banking $3.3 million. Looking to rebound off an out of character failure last start. Last start he was 6^th in the G1 Mckinnon 10F. Sat 7^th around 11.5 lengths from the early lead. Still 7^th on the turn, around 10.5 lengths off them and only plodded the last furlong, beaten nearly 9 lengths with an SP of 107. Prior to that he won the G1 Osmond’s Memorial 10F. He sat 4^th around 6.5 lengths from the lead. Moved to 2^nd on the turn, still around 4 lengths off them but finished powerfully the last furlong to win by over 2 lengths with an SP of 117. Before that he was 3^rd in the G1 Judgemont International 10.5F. He sat 8^th around 12 lengths from the lead. Moved to 7^th around 9 lengths from them on the turn and finished well to be beaten nearly 3 lengths with an SP of 117. Prior to that he was 5^th in the G3 Chicago Hcp 10F. Sat 7^th around 4.5 lengths from the lead. Still 7^th around 5 lengths from them on the turn and only battled the last furlong, beaten 4.5 lengths with an SP of 111. Prior to last start he was in very good form. Forgive last start and he must be included as a big chance.

5. 11232 – Furamente (Duramente) Owned by astinator6 – Jockey – J. Ingram 11/1.

4yo gelding with an overall record of 21-5-4-4 and banking $475k. Has been in very good form of late and chance in tough race. Last start he was 2^nd in the G1 Roberto Clemente 10F behind Late Sleeping B (1^st). Sat 12^th around 15.5 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 5^th, still 11 lengths off them on the turn and finished brilliantly to be beaten just over 2 lengths with an SP of 110. Prior to that he was 3^rd in the G2 Del Web Hcp 11F. Sat 5^th around 15.5 lengths from the lead. Still 5^th, around 11.5 lengths from them on the turn and finished powerfully, beaten just over 3 lengths with an SP of 113. Before that he was 2^nd in the G3 Chicago Hcp 10F. Sat 11^th around 12 lengths from the lead. Moved to 10^th, still over 9 lengths from them on the turn and finished well the last furlong, beaten just over a length with an SP of 114. Prior to that he won the Cougar Bite Turf Route 10F. Sat 8^th around 17 lengths from the lead. Moved to 6^th, still 10.5 lengths from them on the turn and unleashed a magnificent finishing burst to win by over 2 lengths with an SP of 116. This guy comes from a mile back and the lack of pace in the race may be against. Heart in mouth stuff rom the furlong but could blow them all away.

6. 11201 – Limited Partner (Dubawi) Owned by liamswan – Jockey – P. Bangs 36/1.

3yo colt with terrific record of 9-4-4-0 and banking $1.9 million. Think the odds maker are crazy making this one the outsider. Has been in great form if you forgive his failure 2 starts back where the distance may have been a bit to far. Last start he won the G2 Usain Bolt 9F. Led early by 1.5 lengths. Kicked on the turn to lead by 3 lengths and kept running the last furlong to win by 2 lengths with an SP of 118. Prior to that he was 11^th in the G1 Owner’s Stakes 12F. Led early by 4.5 lengths. Dropped back to 3^rd around 1 length on the turn and faded badly the last furlong to be beaten just over 17 lengths with an SP of 96. Before that he was 2^nd in the Derby De English 12F. Led early by just over 2 lengths. Kicked clear by 4.5 lengths on the turn but couldn’t hold off the winner going down by ¾ of a length with an SP of 103. Prior to that he won the G3 Jargon Stakes 10F. Led early by 3 lengths. Kicked away by 4.5 lengths on the turn and kept running to the line to win by just over 2 lengths with an SP of 103. If his last win was no fluke, then he is in this race up to his ears. Only speed in the race and he should lead and give them something to catch.

7. 11072 – Aspirationofpraise (Flintshire) Owned by willyam37 – Jockey – W. Kewmwa 11/1.

4yo colt with nice overall record of 15-8-1-1 and banking $2.4 million. Form was down his previous two start prior to last start where he bounced back. Last start he was 2^nd in the G1 Eclipse Stakes 10F. Sat 9^th around 6 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 7^th around 5 lengths from them on the turn and finished off well, beaten just over 2 lengths with an SP of 113. Prior to that he was 7^th in the G1 Champion Stakes 10F. Sat 6^th, around 6 lengths from the lead. Dropped to 8^th around 8 lengths off them on the turn and faded badly the last furlong, beaten nearly 15 lengths with an SP of 106. Before that he was 13^th in the G1 King Geoff and Queen Beth’s Emerald Stakes 12F. Sat 4^th around 7.5 lengths from the lead. Dropped to 6^th around 7 lengths from them on the turn and faded badly the last furlong, beaten over 13 lengths with an SP of 107. Prior to that he won the G1 Prince of Whales 10F. Sat 5^th around 9 lengths from the lead. Moved to 4^th still 4 lengths off them on the turn and finished best to win by over 2 lengths with an SP of 120. Forgive his 2 unplaced efforts lately and he was in very good form. If he can replicate his Prince of Whales win, he could blow them away. Will stalk the pace and should finish off. Big chance.

8. 32241 – Special Muzzle (White Muzzle) Owned by chloedawg – Jockey – L. Colucci 11/1.

4yo filly with nice overall record of 21-6-4-4 and banking $1.7 million. Only filly in the race and she should more than hold her own. Been in good form of late, capped off with nice G1 win last start. Last start she won the G1 Best of Rome 10F. Sat 5^th around 6 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 4^th around 3 lengths off them on the turn and finished full of running the last furlong to win by over 2 lengths with an SP of 116. Prior to that she was 4^th in the G1 Yellow Submarine Stakes 10F. Sat 5^th around 9 lengths from the lead. Moved to 5^th, still over 9 lengths from them on the turn and battled home okay, beaten 6 lengths with an SP of 109. Before that she was 2^nd in the G1 Princess Di Cap 9F. Sat 6^th around 3.5 lengths from the lead. Moved to 4^th only 1 length off them on the turn and ran well, though well held by the winner, beaten 2 lengths with an SP of 109. Prior to that she was 2^nd in the G2 Rich and Famous Hcp 10F. Sat 7^th around 6 lengths from the lead. Moved to 5^th, still 5 lengths off them on the turn and finished well, beaten 2 lengths with an SP 115. Nice win last start and she could go on with it now. Should be there at the finish. Chance in a wide-open race.

9. 12312 – My Tycoon Uncle (Written Tycoon) Owned by notsohot – Jockey – J. Wilson 13/1.

4yo colt with nice overall record of 19-8-4-3 and banking $419k. Another who is in solid form at the moment albeit over shorter. Last start he was 2^nd in the Bestest Turf Route 8.5F. Sat 8^th around 9.5 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 4^th, around 5.5 lengths from them on the turn and finished off okay, beaten 2.5 lengths with an SP of 115. Prior to that he won the Smell the Glove Stakes 8.5F. Sat 8^th around 6 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 4^th, around 2 lengths from them on the turn and finished best to win by ¼ of a length with an SP of 116. Before that he was 3^rd in the G2 Kakarazuka Tinen Cup 10F. Sat 6^th around 8.5 lengths from the lead. Still 6^th around 7.5 lengths off them on the turn and battled to the line, beaten just over 8 lengths with an SP of 110. Prior to that he was 2^nd in the G1 Cobbler Mile 8F. Sat 8^th around 9 lengths from the lead. Moved to 6^th around 5 lengths off them on the turn and finished hard to be beaten only a neck with an SP of 117. Only battled in his only try over 10F and looks better suited to the lesser routes. Chance.

10. 32121 – Late Sleeping B (Galileo) Owned by mattbarn – Jockey – L. Fenner 9/1.

4yo colt with a terrific record of 15-6-5-1 and banking $3.7 million. Nice horse who is in terrific form and has an outstanding record. Last start he won the G1 Roberto Clemente 10F. Sat 4^th around 6.5 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 3^rd, around 3 lengths off them on the turn and quickly put paid to them with a furlong to go, winning by over 2 lengths with an SP of 112. Prior to that he was 2^nd in the G1 Windy City Turf Classic 10F. Sat 7^th around 7 lengths from the lead. Moved to 4^th around 4 lengths off them on the turn and finished off okay, beaten 3.5 lengths with an SP of 115. Before that he won the G1 Kakarazuka Kinen Cup 11F. Sat 4^th around 7 lengths from the lead. Moved to 2^nd, around 3 lengths off them on the turn and finished powerfully the last furlong to win by 2.5 lengths with an SP of 114. Prior to that he was 2^nd in the Manha Manha Challenge 10F on a good track. Sat 6^th around 7.5 lengths from the lead. Moved to 3^rd, around 4 lengths off them on the turn and finished off okay, beaten just over 2 lengths with an SP of 111. Lovely 4yo colt who is in form and must be given a huge chance in this. Should be stalking the pace and have his chance in the stretch.

11. 21741 – King of Hvar (King Kamehameha) Owned by deyoto6 – Jockey – R. Dogs 9/1.

4yo colt with a record of 17-4-4-1 and banking $3.8 million. Has been in terrific form apart from the failure 3 back. Last start he won the G1 Coxless Stakes 10F, beating a few of his rivals here. Sat 6^th around 5.5 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 2^nd only ½ length off them on the turn and finished best to win by 1.5 lengths with an SP of 118. Prior to that he was 4^th in the G1 Judgemont International 10.5F. Sat 5^th around 8 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 4^th still over 6.5 lengths from them on the turn and finished off okay, beaten 3.5 lengths with an SP of 116. Before that he was 7^th in the G1 Kakarazuka Kinen Cup 11F behind Late Sleeping B (1^st). Sat 2^nd around 7 lengths from the early speed. Dropped to 6^th around 6 lengths from them on the turn and faded the last furlong, beaten 9 lengths with an SP of 106. Prior to that he won the G1 Tattersalls Gold 10.5F. Sat 3^rd around 6 lengths from the lead. Moved to 2^nd around 3 lengths off them on the turn and finished powerfully to win by nearly 4 lengths with an SP of 117. Forgive his run behind Late Sleeping B 3 back and he must be given a huge chance. Will be off the pace and should run on well.

12. 18497 – Brightburn (Galileo) Owned by malekfarms – Jockey – O. Brim 10/1.

5yo horse with an overall record of 20-8-3-0 and banking $5.5 million. Highest money earner in the field but has been out of form lately and would need to improve. Last start he was 7^th in the G1 Roberto Clemente 10F behind Late Sleeping B (1^st). Sat 2^nd around ½ length from the early lead. Still 2^nd on the, around 1 length from them but faded the last furlong, beaten nearly 7 lengths with an SP of 105. Prior to that he was 9^th in the G1 Windy City Turf Classic 10F behind Late Sleeping B (2^nd).  Sat 2^nd around ½ length off the lead. Still 2^nd around 1 length off them on the turn but faded badly the last furlong, beaten 10 lengths with an SP of 109. Before that he was 4^th in the G1 Prince of Whales 10F behind Aspirationofpraise (1^st). Sat 2^nd around 2.5 lengths from the lead. Dropped to 3^rd around 2 lengths off them on the turn and battled on well, beaten just over 5 lengths with an SP of 115. Prior to that he was 8^th in the G1 Mr. Met Cap 10F. Sat 3^rd around 4 lengths from the lead. Dropped to 4^th around 7 lengths off them on the turn and faded late, beaten 12 lengths with an SP of 107. Has not won a race this year and unlikely here unless he grows another leg. Has been sensational for his owners but may be headed to the breeding shed. Outside chance.

13. 16211 – Texalot (Camelot) Owned by cosanostra – Jockey – K. Ledwith 11/1.

4yo colt with terrific overall record of 11-6-3-1 and banking $1.1 million. Been in hot form of late and only off the board once. Last start he won the G1 Fall Tent Show 10F. Sat 5^th around 9 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 4^th around 3.5 lengths from them on the turn and sprinted away the last furlong to win by 2.5 lengths with an SP of 114. Prior to that he won the G3 I Can’t Rhyme Stakes 10F. Sat 6^th around 6 lengths from the lead. Moved to 2^nd by only a head on the turn and took over soon after and raced on to win by 1.5 lengths with an SP of 115. Before that he was 2^nd in the G3 Rennen Classic 10F. Sat 9^th around 8.5 lengths from the lead. Moved to 5^th, still 6 lengths off them on the turn but finished hard to be beaten only a head with an SP of 118. Prior to that he was 6^th in the G1 Greatest Show on Turf 11F. Sat 8^th around 12 lengths from the lead. Moved to 6^th, still over 10 lengths from them on the turn and finished off well, beaten 4 lengths with an SP of 111. Think 10F is his go and has produced some great efforts of late over the distance. Must include in a tough race.

14. 11611 – Paradise Blues (Deep Impact) Owned by mtkiscrabbyinmd – Jockey – M. Kelly 10/1.

6yo gelding with nice overall record of 25-9-6-4 and banking $1.3 million. Been in terrific form of late as have many of these. Last start he won the G1 McKinnon 10F. Sat 4^th around 5.5 lengths from the early lead. Moved to 4^th around 2.5 lengths from them on the turn and finished well the last furlong to win by 2 lengths with an SP of 116. Prior to that he won the G3 Chosen Stakes 10F. Sat 3^rd around 5 lengths from the lead. Still 3^rd around 3 lengths off them on the turn before finishing hard the last furlong to win by ¾ of a length with an SP of 111. Before that he was 6^th in the G1 Queen’s Spring Cup 10F. Sat 3^rd around 2 lengths from the lead. Dropped to 4^th around 4 lengths off them on the turn and only battled the last furlong, beaten 7 lengths with an SP of 110. Prior to that he won the Giant’s Banjo Turf Route 10F. Led all the way in that race, opening up by 2 lengths on the turn and maintaining that to the line to win by just over 2 lengths with an SP of 113. Only 2 runs at G1 level and has acquitted himself well both times, winning his last effort nicely. If he can repeat that then he is in with a chance.

This is just an impossible race to handicap as there are so many chances and anyone of the 14 could win.

10. Late Sleeping B – Has already beaten a few of these and with lack of pace he should be in a stalking position on the turn. He might take some getting past. 9/1.

6. Limited Partner – Sole speed in the race and if he gets an easy time up front, he will prove hard to catch. Silly odds. 36/1

3. Henty Angel – Will be up on speed and if they don’t go mad up front which they shouldn’t he should be in the finish. 7/1