From Los Alamitos Publicity
CYPRESS, Calif. (June 21, 2025) – Heavily-favored Kings River Knight became the third two-time winner of the $101,000 Bertrando Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles Saturday at Los Alamitos.
Joining Soi Phet, who won the inaugural running in 2014 before scoring again as a 10-year-old in 2018, and Desmond Doss, who went back-to-back in 2021 and 2022, the 7-year-old Acclamation gelding wore down pacesetter and 4-1 second choice Mr. Disrespectful in the final sixteenth to prevail by 1 ¼ lengths.
Bred by Old English Rancho, owned by Integrity Thoroughbred Racing LLC, The Ellwood Johnston Trust and Kenneth Tevelde and trained by John Sadler, Kings River Knight, the 3-10 choice, earned his 12th win in 19 starts and his third in as many attempts at Los Alamitos. In addition to his two scores in the Bertrando, the bay also won the E.B. Johnston Stakes in 2023.
Worse than second only twice in his career, Kings River Knight, who was ridden by Juan Hernandez, completed one mile in 1:35.90 in a race restricted to 3-year-olds & up bred or sired in California. He’s won seven of his last eight starts.
He paid $2.60 and $2.10. There was no show wagering. Kings River Knight, who is out of the Poteen mare Seasontoperfection, has now banked $770,730.
“This horse usually shows speed and today he didn’t have as much as he usually does,’’ said Sadler’s assistant trainer Juan Leyva. “But he pulled through and won on all heart.
“He’s a really nice horse and pleasant to be around. The grass race ($150,000 California Dreamin’ at 1 1/16 miles Aug. 2) is what we’re pointing for. This is a nice race in between and kind of sets him up right for that one.’’
The stakes victory was the 21st for Hernandez at Los Alamitos, adding to his record total.
“He’s usually push button, but around the turn he wasn’t quite focused,’’ said Hernandez. “Once we hit the stretch, he switched leads and knew it was time to race and took off.’’
Mr. Disrespectful, who was seeking his third win in his last four starts, returned $2.60 to place while finishing one length clear of 33-1 shot Rodrigoknows. Barely Funtional, Royal ‘n Rando, Cowboy Mike and Freeport Joe completed the order of finish.
Apprentice jockey Alfredo Bautista scored his first daytime thoroughbred win at Los Alamitos, posting a 12-1 upset with Run Abbouddy in Saturday’s seventh race.
Both Antonio Fresu and Edwin Maldonado doubled. Fresu teamed with trainer Doug O’Neill for his victories, taking the first with 2-year-old debuter Punto Forty and the seventh with Lovin’ On the Run.
Maldonado, the all-time leader during the daytime meets, captured the third with My Kathryn Rose and the fourth with Father Delay. He now has 149 wins at Los Alamitos, 16 more than nearest pursuer Tiago Pereira.
Racing resumes Sunday at Los Alamitos. Post time is 1 p.m.