DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 2, 2025) — California-bred champion Kings River Knight ran his latest win streak to four on Saturday, holding off Aligato’s late charge to take the $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes for Golden State Series eligibles at Del Mar.
Kings River Knight is by Acclamation, out of the Poteen mare Seasontoperfection, was bred by Old English Rancho, is owned by Integrity Thoroughbred Racing, The Ellwood Johnston Trust or Tevelde and trained by John Sadler.
“I told Juan (Hernandez) ‘He’s a good breaker so get out on the lead.’” said assistant trainer Juan Leyva. “The only reason they were going to take the lead is if they’re really sending. This horse is hard to pass. When he’s up in front it’s really hard to get by him. He’s a class horse; he showed it today. He ran a really good race.”
Kings River Knight has 13 wins in 20 starts, earnings of $855,830 and was coming off a win in the June 21 Bertrando Stakes. He was second in the California Dreamin’ in 2023.
“He was relaxed; so was I,” said jockey Juan Hernandez. “He’s just such a special horse for me. I had a horse down in Mexico I think I won six or seven on him. But this horse, I think I’m up to 10 with him now. He’s really special. Whatever you want him to do, he does.
“He was quiet today in the paddock. I wasn’t real sure how he was going to do on the track. But he jumped right out of there and put himself on the lead and we went from there. He’s truly special.”
Sent off as the 3-5 favorite, Kings River Knight ran the 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:41.28 and won by one-half length. Aligato was second and Annan third in a field of 10.