By DRF.com
ARCADIA, Calif. (June 9, 2024) — Kings River Knight, the winner of the $102,000 Crystal Water Stakes for California-bred turf milers at Santa Anita on May 25 for the second consecutive year, will have a vacation this summer.
“He’ll get 60 days on the farm for a little freshening,” trainer John Sadler said on Sunday.
Kings River Knight, a five-time stakes winner, has a remarkably consistent record of 10 wins in 16 starts and earnings of $649,830 for the partnership of Integrity Thoroughbred Partners, the family of the late Bud Johnston and Ken Tevelde.
A 6-year-old gelding, Kings River Knight is unbeaten in three starts this year, beginning with the $201,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic for statebreds at Santa Anita in January.
Kings River Knight will miss the Del Mar summer meeting. He was second in the $152,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes for statebreds on turf at Del Mar last August.
Sadler said the current break is designed to have Kings River Knight ready for the autumn – and beyond.
“If we take care of him, we’ll have him for several years,” Sadler said.