NEWS
Kinsale King too strong in Palos Verdes
Posted: Saturday, January 23, 2010 8:43 PM
KINSALE KING
Benoit & Associates photo
by Tim Nichols
Kinsale King took the lead in early stretch and easily surged away from Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner Dancing in Silks to win the $150,000 Palos Verdes Handicap (G2) on Saturday at Santa Anita Park.
The Yankee Victor gelding made a successful five-year-old debut by covering six furlongs on the synthetic Pro-Ride surface in 1:08.81.
Ridden by Martin Garcia for trainer Carl O’Callaghan, Kinsale King secured a prime spot in second, pressing pacesetter Eaton’s Gift through a quarter-mile in :22.25 and a half-mile in :44.80 while Dancing in Silks raced in fourth.
Kinsale King, who entered off a neck victory in the Vernon O. Underwood Stakes (G3) on December 6 at Hollywood Park, seized the lead in early stretch and then steadily put away six opponents for the half-length win.
Dancing in Silks had clear running room in the stretch but failed to match Kinsale King’s turn of foot and finished third, 1 ¼ lengths behind runner-up Ventana.
“It looked like there was a lot of speed in this race and Carl [O’Callaghan] said to just let him break out of the gate, get him comfortable, and make one run,” Garcia said. “He never gave up, he just kept going.”
Dancing in Silks also was making his five-year-old debut and his first start since taking the Breeders’ Cup Sprint by a nose at odds of 25.30-to-1. The Black Minnaloushe gelding spotted the field between six and ten pounds in the race.
“I just think he was spotting a lot of weight, the track’s a little tiring, and he missed one work on the comeback, so he ran [respectably],” said Dancing in Silk’s trainer Carla Gaines. “It looks like he just got a little tired.”
Up next for Kinsale King is a trip to Dubai and a start in the Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) on the Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) card on March 27 at the new Meydan Racecourse.
Bred by Marvin Little Jr. in Kentucky, Kinsale King improved to four wins from seven career starts and earnings of $207,080. He is one of five winners from as many starters out of the Woodman mare Flaming Mirage and is a half brother to stakes-placed winner and sire Ballado Chieftan.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Tim Nichols is internet content editor of Thoroughbred Times
