Intrestntimesahead favoured for glory in The Kingston
Intrestntimesahead, the Jason DaCosta-conditioned champion two-year-old from last season, will have another chance to demonstrate his dominance among peers when he faces eight challengers in today’s fourth running of the $3-million The Kingston.
The Kingston, a Graded Stakes (GII) contest for native-bred three-year-old colts and geldings, is the final preparation race on the ‘Road to the Triple Crown’. The race will run over seven-and-a-half furlongs (1,500m).
Intrestntimesahead came off a four-month break to easily beat rivals in the Prince Consort Stakes on April 14 over seven furlongs. The bay colt encountered traffic problems shortly after the start of the race but did extremely well to win by three lengths going away at the wire. Intrestntimesahead stopped the clock in 1:28.3 to register his third consecutive victory from four career starts.
With the distance increased by half-furlong (100m) for The Kingston, Intrestntimesahead should put in another smart performance.
Intrestntimesahead has been timely prepared for this second outing for the season, having worked six furlongs (1,200m) in 1:16.2, beating stablemate Chocomo (1:17.0) on Monday, April 29. Jockey Tevin Foster remains in the saddle aboard Intrestntimesahead (Bold Conquest – My Friend Lucy).
Crown Chaser, conditioned by Anthony “Baba” Nunes looks the main danger to Intrestntimesahead here.
The contest is positioned as the eighth event on the nine-race card with a post time of 4:55 pm. First race is at 12:15 pm.
Crown Chaser, a bay colt bred by Bern Identity – Salty Talk, ran on strongly in the final stages of the race to finish second behind Intrestntimesahead in the Prince Consort Stakes. Crown Chaser was also coming off a break, having last raced on January 28 when breaking his maiden over six-and-a-half furlongs (1,300m). He is going to appreciate this extended journey and could test the favourite every inch of the way here. Jockey Raddesh Roman will again be in the saddle.
Crown Chaser’s stablemates, Allegiance and Captain Sparrow, could find themselves in the money here.
Allegiance never showed up in the Prince Consort Stakes, especially after winning the Sir Howard Stakes over six furlongs on March 24. Allegiance, who finished in ninth place in the Prince Consort, should enjoy this extension in journey, and based on running style, is expected to run an improved race here.
Captain Sparrow, on the other hand, ran a brave race to finish fourth in the Prince Consort Stakes. Captain Sparrow came within 6 ¾ lengths of the winner. Captain Sparrow is another runner who is going to love this distance, and based on his Prince Consort effort, he is expected to have an impact on the race.
The field is completed by Provident, Playfair, Unruly Don, Matuso, and Paper Work.
Ones to watch
Race 1) Benson/Don Pablo/Hedge Craft
Race 2) Digital One/Wall Street Trader/Champion Bubbler
Race 3) Will The Conquerer/Manaco/Chitu Prince
Race 4) Life Is Life/Fault Line/Pro Johnny
Race 5) Boss Izzy/Fiery Path/Nez Perce
Race 6) Sir Wong Don/Tuts/Veliki Viki
Race 7) She’s A Godgift/Chocomo/Huntsman
Race 8) Intrestntimesahead/Crown Chaser/Captain Sparrow
Race 9) Trust Fund Baby/She’s That Girl/Restoration