CYPRESS, Calif. - Kings River Knight won the eighth stakes of his career in Saturday’s $101,000 Bertrando Stakes for California-bred milers at Los Alamitos, but only after jockey Juan Hernandez gave the veteran a measure of coaxing.
A heavy favorite, Kings River Knight ($2.60) stalked pacesetter Mr. Disrespectful to early stretch before taking the lead. He won by 1 1/4 lengths over Mr. Disrespectful, the second choice.
Hernandez knows Kings River Knight well, having been aboard the 7-year-old gelding for all of his stakes wins since May 2023. Hernandez noted that Kings River Knight needed a few reminders early in the Bertrando Stakes to catch a stubborn Mr. Disrespectful.
“This horse is pretty push-button,” he said. “He picks it up right away. I asked him a couple of times and he didn’t pick it up. He was flat.
“I don’t know if he was looking around at something. After a couple of strikes, he took off.”
Kings River Knight was timed in 1:35.90 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 89.
Mr. Disrespectful, who had his stakes debut on Saturday in his 11th start, finished a length in front of 33-1 Rodrigoknows.
Barely Funtional, Royal ‘n Rando, Cowboy Mike and Freeport Joe completed the order of finish.
Kings River Knight, a gelding by Acclamation, has won 12 of 19 starts and earned $770,330 for the partnership of Integrity Thoroughbred Racing, the family of the late Bud Johnston, and Kenneth Tevelde. John Sadler trains Kings River Knight.
This year, Kings River Knight has won 2 of 3 starts, including the Crystal Water Stakes for California-bred turf milers at Santa Anita in May for the third consecutive year.
Kings River Knight won four stakes in 2023, including the Bertrando Stakes. Last year, Kings River Knight won two stakes, both on turf at Santa Anita.
In his career, Kings River Knight is unbeaten in three starts on dirt at Los Alamitos, including the E.B. Johnston Stakes in September 2023.
Kings River Knight has been favored in all of his stakes wins, and has been an odds-on choice in six of those races.
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