G1, Hail to the King Stakes
After a night of 100 mph straight line winds, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes last night I am surprised to have not lost power or internet service. But all is good, and I am here to preview a nice race in Newmarket this weekend when they host this Saturday the running of the G1, Hail to the King Stakes. This race will be across the fast dirt track at the distance of 13 furlongs and will be restricted to those horses that are 3 year olds and older. The race has drawn a field of twelve horses that will make a bid in this long grueling race to get to the wire first. The field looks pretty tight for this race, and this should be a competitive field of horses. With the morning line odds released and the post positions being drawn let us take a preview of the twelve horses that will make the start in the running of the G1, Hail to the King Stakes.
| 1 | EXTREMELY WILD | AUS | 5M | vautour | C Wyatt | 19 | 10 | 74% | $828,330 | 100.50 | 5/1 |
Breaking from the inside gate we have this 5 year old Chestnut Horse (EXTREME CHOICE (AUS) x WILD AGAIN x AFFIRMED) that has started on both the turf and dirt surfaces in his career. His two most recent starts have been on the dirt and two starts back he would win the G2, Grey Fox. He would then make his most recent start in Turkey going 14 furlongs in the G2, The Old Man. He would make a good closing effort down the stretch and pull into second at the wire with a 106 speed rating. He likes closing down the final stretch and that is where I expect to see him when he heads out this weekend representing The Mecca residency.
| 2 | MICHKOV | KY | 4M | given10 | Z Edwards | 15 | 7 | 60% | $249,425 | 45.50 | 7/1 |
Next, we have this 4 year old Light Grey Colt (TAPIT x STORM CAT x MR. PROSPECTOR) that started his season with a nice win in the Coastal Mining Dirt Special with a blistering 115 speed rating. He would then head out in Arizona for his most recent start going 11.5 furlongs in the What Under Gene Dirt Stayer. This horse likes to run at or near the front in his better starts but in this one he could never find his spot. He would linger across the wire in sixth with a 104 speed rating. He is looking for a rebounding effort here in Newmarket as he moves back up in class representing the GR Simsters residency.
| 3 | HAD IT COMING | KY | 4M | worldclass18 | O Jones | 15 | 3 | 60% | $416,866 | 86.50 | 9/1 |
This is a 4 year old Light Grey Colt (TAPIT x BROAD BRUSH x DANZIG) that back in October of last year would pick up the win in the G2, Shagfarms Stayer and then get third in the G2, No Surrender Stakes. His two most recent starts would then be off the boards. In his most recent start in California, he would go 10 furlongs in the G1, California Handicap. He made up a little ground down the final stretch, but it would not be near enough as he crossed the wire in sixth with a 108 speed rating. He is seeking a much bigger effort this weekend when he heads out of the paddock representing the Orphan Racing residency.
| 4 | ICAN NOW LOOK | KY | 6M | karmafarm | B Lee | 25 | 9 | 72% | $583,351 | 14.00 | 7/1 |
Next, we have this 6 year old Bay Horse (AMERICAN PHAROAH x DEEP IMPACT x SMART STRIKE) that has not made a graded start since August of last year. In his two most recent starts both have been at the Allowance level and he has come out on top in each. In his most recent start, he would be seen in Deauville going 15 furlongs in a $39,000 Allowance. In second and four back at the third call he would turn up the heat down the final stretch to get up for the win by three and three quarts with a 100 speed rating. He will be moving back up in class for this weekend’s start when he heads out in the post parade representing the Midas residency.
| 5 | INTERCEPTED NOTION | SAF | 4G | foxon2 | B Ball | 15 | 6 | 73% | $290,945 | 59.00 | 8/1 |
Here we have a 4 year old Bay Gelding (FLOWER ALLEY x FLATTER x TIZNOW) that has been running well for the owner until his most recent start. Two starts back he would get up for the win on an off track in the Senior Dancer Dirt Stayer. He would then come back out to make his most recent start in Florida where he would travel 9 furlongs in the G3, The Mr. Hooper Handicap. He never found the sweet spot in this race and would not factor as he crossed the wire in eighth with a 107 speed rating. He will need to show up with a better effort this weekend to challenge this field when he heads over to his post draw representing the Down Under Racing residency.
| 6 | STAR WALKIN’ | KY | 4G | beerkeg30 | C Bailey | 15 | 4 | 40% | $1,614,757 | 64.00 | 10/1 |
This is a 4 year old Chestnut Gelding (CURLIN x DEPUTY MINISTER x DANZIG) who last year would get a big win in the G1, Arkansas Juvenile-Derby Lock Prep which earned him a trip to the G1, Bluegrass Derby of which he would finish fourth. He would then follow that up with a third place finish in the G1, The New Yorker. Since that race his four most recent starts have not been fruitful as he has struggled and missed hitting the boards. In his most recent start in California, he would go 10 furlongs in the G1, California Handicap. He would not have enough firepower in this start as he finished up in eighth with a 107 speed rating. He is no stranger to the G1 circuit and is seeking to find his way back to the boards when he heads out to the track representing the Midas residency.
| 7 | MALAK ECHUCA | KY | 4M | chatham07 | J Ledwith | 14 | 3 | 71% | $521,430 | 34.00 | 6/1 |
Coming out next we have this 4 year old Chestnut Colt (GUN RUNNER x DISTORTED HUMOR x STORM CAT) that has been running well for the owner with one off the boards in his five most recent starts. In his most recent trip to the track, we would see him in California going 10 furlongs in the G1, California Handicap. He put up a gallant effort but would be held off to cross the wire in second with a 111 speed rating. This horse has yet to get his first graded win, but he has been in the hunt in many of his recent starts. He will be looking for that first graded win this weekend in Newmarket when he breaks from his gate representing the Down Under Racing residency.
| 8 | AZ ELET JO | KY | 4G | adrian17 | V Drosos | 14 | 6 | 64% | $257,118 | 44.00 | 13/1 |
Next, we come to this 4 year old Bay Gelding (LIFE IS GOOD x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x KINGMAMBO) that has been running well for the owner at the Allowance and Listed Stakes level. Two starts back he would make his first graded appearance which he would find fruitless in attempting to go 16 furlongs. He then cut back in distance in his most recent start in Idaho where he traveled 11.5 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Bustfully Not Raul Dirt Memorial. He was back to business in this start and would get up for the win by four and a half with a 113 speed rating. He moves back up in class to make his second graded appearance and at a distance he has won at before when he heads out of the paddock representing the Orphan Racing residency.
| 9 | QUADRENNIUM | KY | 4G | xpansion93 | D Lakencher | 16 | 7 | 69% | $347,091 | 64.50 | 11/1 |
Here we have a 4 year old Bay Gelding (OLYMPIAD x DANZIG x KRIS S.) that appears to have been put up for auction back in September of last year. Under new ownership this horse has won four races in his five starts with one off the boards. This will be his first graded start under new ownership as he moves up in class. In his most recent start, he would come out in Turkey going 14 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Prince Of Gold Dirt Memorial. He would again have another good start in this race and get to the wire first on this off track with a 103 speed rating. This horse will be coming to Newmarket with three straight wins and is in hopes of making it four in a row when he heads out this weekend representing the Midas residency.
| 10 | SEE THE PSYCHE | IRE | 5M | muninn240 | M Zeus | 15 | 6 | 73% | $325,764 | 24.13 | 9/1 |
Next, we have this 5 year old Light Grey Horse (SEA THE STARS x TAPIT x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY) that had been running on the turf but would come back to the dirt for his three most recent starts. The owner has found much recent success in bringing his horse back to the dirt as all have resulted in a win. His most recent start would be in Italy where he would go 11 furlongs in a Listed Stakes, Lt. Vast Dirt Stayer. For the third time in a row, he would get the win with a gate to wire trip and finish this one with a 113 speed rating. This looks like a bunny in this group of starters so look for him to battle for the lead out of the gate representing the British and European Racing Club residency.
| 11 | UNDER THE NEON | KY | 4G | brightvalr | H Harbert | 13 | 5 | 77% | $841,240 | 242.00 | 9/1 |
Making his way out next we have this 4 year old Light Grey Gelding (QUALITY ROAD x KINGMAMBO x TAPIT) that appears to have been picked up at auction back in around May of last year. Since that time under current ownership this horse has never missed hitting the boards. His three most recent starts have all been at 16 furlongs and he picked up the win in the G1, The Hit Man. His most recent trip to the track would come in New York going 16 furlongs in the G1, Cayuga Lake Special. He would come down the final stretch trying to get their but would cross the wire in third with a 105 speed rating. This horse has been racing well, and he is seeking to add another G1 win to the tally when he heads over to his gate representing the Midas residency.
| 12 | SEA DRAGON HUNTER | KY | 4M | peeps9 | B Schardein | 12 | 7 | 67% | $860,040 | 221.00 | 15/1 |
We now come to the final starter in this race that will break from the outside gate who is a 4 year old Chestnut Colt (CURLIN x SEATTLE SLEW x SADLER’S WELLS) that has made his three most recent starts at the graded level. Three starts back he was third in the G2, Silver Stakes and then followed that up with the win in the G2, Miles and Miles Stakes. He would then make his most recent start in New York going 16 furlongs in the G1, The Cayuga Lake Special where he would take control of this field at the third call and hold his lead to the wire to get the win with a 106 speed rating. He is looking for his third graded win in a row this weekend when he heads out at post time representing the GR Simsters.
Good luck to all owners and horses!
Skippy’s Watch List
7-Malak Echuca: Looked tough in most recent start. Can he find his first graded win?
11-Under The Neon: Consistently hitting the boards. Does he hit again in Newmarket?
12-Sea Dragon Hunter: Looking for his third win in a row. Does he get it?