From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 25, 2025) – California-bred champion turf horse Kings River Knight returns from nearly 10 months on the bench in Sunday’s $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Santa Anita.
Kings River Knight is by Acclamation, out of the Poteen mare Seasontoperfection, was bred by Old English Rancho, is owned by Integrity Thoroughbred Racing, LLC, The Ellwood Johnston Trust and Tevelde, Kenneth A. and trained by John Sadler. He has 10 wins in 16 starts, earnings of $649,830 and is making his first start since winning the May 25 Crystal Water Stakes.
Prior to the layoff, he dominated the California-bred turf division. In 2023 and 2024, Kings River Knight racked up six stakes wins against statebreds.
“We’re really excited to have him back,” Sadler said. “He’s won so many races for us.”
Kings River Knight has a win and a second in two starts on the hillside turf course, both statebred stakes. In the 2023 Sensational Star, he finished just a nose back of two-time California-bred Horse of the Year The Chosen Vron. Then last year, Kings River Knight won the California Flag Handicap sprinting down the hill. Kings River Knight is a 7-year-old gelding by Acclamation. Sadler noted his lengthy layoff was by design.
“He’s a gelding and we thought we’d give him some time off so we could have another good long run with him,” Sadler said. “He can run this year and next year and then will get a nice retirement after that.”
Kings River Knight will also have Juan Hernandez in the irons. “He’s coming back very well,” Sadler said. “The only downside is he drew the one, which can be a tough post. But it shouldn’t be a game changer.”
Book Smart is by Stanford, out of the With Distinction mare Magic Lily, was bred by Grasshopper Racing Stable, Inc., Jack Fabulich & Jill Fabulich, is owned by Bernal, Eduardo, Buckendorf, Larry S., Bullard, Charlotte A., Harringer, Tyler and Lambert, Jeffrey and trained by Bob Hess. He has six wins in 17 starts, earnings of $222,245 and is coming off a Mar. 1 optional claiming win.
Clovisconnection is by Vronsky, out of the Perfect Mandate mare La Darling, was bred by owners William & Judy Hedrick and is trained by Blaine Wright. He has 11 wins in 18 starts, earnings of $463,300 and is coming off a second in the Jan. 18 Donald Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint. He was third in this race last year.
Fast Buck is by Gallant Son, out of the Falstaff mare Zorra Roja, was bred by Daehling Ranch, is owned by Zephyr Racing and trainer Cesar DeAlba. He has five wins in 17 starts, earnings of $343,462 and is coming off a second in a Feb. 16 allowance. He was fourth in this race in 2023.
Lonesome Stew is by Grazen, out of the Maria’s Mon mare Stash, was bred by Nick Alexander, is owned by Linear Bannasch and trained by Mark Glatt. He has four wins in nine starts, earnings of $129,480 and is coming off a win in a Feb. 15 optional claimer.
Lovesick Blues is by Grazen, out of the Ministers Wild Cat mare Queenofhercastle, was bred by Nick Alexander, is owned by Mia Familia Racing Stable and is trained by Librado Barocio. He has seven wins in 37 starts, earnings of $452,000 and is coming off a second in the Mar. 8 San Simeon Stakes. He was second in this race last year.
On the Whim is by Acclamation, out of the Maria’s Mon mare Whimsy, was bred by owner Harris Farms and is trained by Dean Pederson. He has four wins in 11 starts, earnings of $256,346 and is coming off a third in the Jan. 18 Unusual Heat Turf Classic, presented by City National Bank.
Tom Horn is by Grazen, out of the Tribal Rule mare Miranda Rose, was bred by owner Nick Alexander and is trained by Steven Miyadi. He has five wins in 10 starts, earnings of $194,040 and is coming off a Feb. 22 optional claiming win.