King Fury | Horse Racing Free Tips

Curlin Colt Rallies ‘Fury’-ously To Win the Lexington

Fern Circle Stable & Three Chimneys Farm's King Fury (Curlin) took advantage of a fast early pace in Saturday's GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. over a sloppy Keeneland main track and closed off fastest of all to cause an 18-1 upset, earning 20 points towards a potential appearance in the GI Kentucky Derby in three weeks' time.

A maiden winner at first asking over a distance of ground at Churchill Sept. 3, King Fury could not overcome a wide trip when eighth of nine behind Essential Quality (Tapit) in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity over this course and distance Oct. 3. The half-length winner of the Oct. 25 Street Sense S. beneath the Twin Spires, he could do no better than seventh when wheeled back on 12 days' rest in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile and added blinkers–to no avail–en route to a fifth in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. at Churchill Nov. 28.

They lined up three across the strip entering the first turn, as the rail-drawn and well-backed Noble Reflection (Liam's Map) set a demanding tempo from Swiftsure (Uncle Mo), with the much-hyped Besos (Empire Maker) three deep. Favored Proxy (Tapit) lingered towards the rear of the field with just two behind, including King Fury–getting the blinkers off for this seasonal debut–who was guided down to the inside by Brian Hernandez, Jr. down the backstretch after climbing through the sloppy going rounding the first turn.

Traveling noticeably more comfortably at halfay, the $950,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga grad improved into fifth on the bridle approaching the turn, angled to the outside of Noble Reflection while full of run off the home corner and stayed on well enough to best Unbridled Honor (Honor Code)–who made a run from absolute last–by 2 1/2 lengths. Starrinmydreams (Super Saver) raced prominently throughout and rounded out a trifecta that returned better than 1200-1. Proxy ran on admirably for fourth. The McPeek-trained and Fern Circle-owned Senior Investment (Discreetly Mine) upset the 2017 Lexington at 11-1.

“I got to the five-eighths pole and went 'Man, they're in trouble from this point,' because he was just doing it the right way and traveling and taking us the whole way,” said Hernandez, Jr. “He was so powerful today that I knew I would just be able to pick my way through like we did. He was just there for me the whole way.”

The 20 points earned for the victory Saturday leave King Fury on the fence for the Derby, but McPeek is game to face the challenge, should the opportunity present itself.

“We'll check him after this race,” he said. “I think he's going to handle a mile and a quarter without any trouble. Whether he gets in, it's out of our control. We'll see how he bounces out. We think a mile a quarter would be great. We'll look at the opposition. The [May 15 GI] Preakness S. is a great race too. It could be either-or, but it would definitely one or the other.”

Pedigree Notes:

King Fury is the first–and, sadly, only–produce for his dam, named a 'TDN Rising Star' following a smashing debut for Commonwealth New Era Racing and trainer Todd Beattie before winning Keeneland's GII Lexus Raven Run S. in track-record time of 1:21.32. Acquired by Coolmore for $2.35 million at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton November Sale, Taris was a bang-up second after setting a furious early pace in the GI La Brea S. in her first run for trainer Simon Callaghan. She would go on to win four of her next seven starts, capped by a victory in the 2016 GI Humana Distaff S. She was later acquired privately for breeding purposes and Scott Heider's Heider Family Stable took full ownership of the mare upon dissolution of the partnership. Taris died shortly after foaling King Fury.

Taris's success at the races helped to make members of her immediate female family extremely popular at public auction. Her dam, who sold for $24,000 in foal to Flatter at the 2012 Keeneland November Sale, was bred to Tapit in the aftermath of Taris's 3-year-old season and was sold to Stonestreet for $1.5 million at KEENOV in 2015. That produce, a colt, fetched $900,000 as a Keeneland September yearling in 2017. Taris's full-sister Stoweshoe, a winner in West Virginia-bred stakes company at Mountaineer Park, was sold for $330,000 at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton February Sale. Her 4-year-old son Desert Peace (Curlin), a $1.3-million KEESEP yearling of 2018, was a handicap winner at Meydan Mar. 11, while Stonestreet homebred Cantata (Medaglia d'Oro) annexed a Fair Grounds turf allowance Mar. 12.

King Fury becomes the 39th graded winner for his sire, himself the slop-loving winner of the 2007 GI Breeders' Cup Classic. While King Fury is the first produce of a daughter Flatter to produce a graded winner to Curlin, the stallion has eight such winners from A.P. Indy-line dams, including 'TDN Rising Star' and recent GI Central Bank Ashland winner Malathaat and Stonestreet's fellow Oaks contender and GSW Clariere.

Saturday, Keeneland
STONESTREET LEXINGTON S.-GIII, $200,000, Keeneland, 4-10, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:43.50, sy.
1–KING FURY, 118, c, 3, by Curlin
1st Dam: Taris (GISW, $1,086,260), by Flatter
2nd Dam: Comedy, by Theatrical (Ire)
3rd Dam: Don't Be Silly, by Lord At War (Arg)
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($950,000 Ylg '19 FTSAUG). O-Fern
Circle Stables & Three Chimneys Farm, LLC; B-Heider Family
Stables, LLC (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek; J-Brian Joseph
Hernandez, Jr. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 6-3-0-0, $262,739.
Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus* Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Unbridled Honor, 118, c, 3, Honor Code–Silvery Starlet, by
Unbridled's Song. O/B-Whisper Hill Farm, LLC (KY); T-Todd A.
Pletcher. $40,000.
3–Starrininmydreams, 118, c, 3, Super Saver–Boy Crazy, by Sky
Mesa. O-Stewart Racing Stable & WinStar Farm LLC; B-Dallas
Stewart & WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Dallas Stewart. $20,000.
Margins: 2 3/4, 2 1/4, 1. Odds: 18.20, 20.10, 8.10.
Also Ran: Proxy, Noble Reflection, It's My House, Swiftsure, Hockey Dad, Bezos. Scratched: Ultimate Badger.Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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‘Fury’ Looking For Redemption in Kentucky JC

Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm’s King Fury (Curlin) is undefeated in two prior starts at Churchill Downs and tries to annex his first graded victory in Saturday’s GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. A debut winner at the Louisville oval in September, the chestnut was eighth in Keeneland’s GI Breeders’ Futurity S. Oct. 3 before bouncing back to score in the Oct. 25 Street Sense S. Last time out, the 2-year-old finished seventh under Brian Hernandez Jr. in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Nov. 6.

“He’s 2-for-2 at Churchill Downs so we know he really likes it here,” said trainer Ken McPeek. “We’ve added blinkers to him in hopes to get him to the next level. I think they could add to his focus and really get him there. His only two blemishes came at Keeneland, so we’re excited to get him back to Churchill.”

McPeek will attempt to add his second win in the Kentucky Jockey Club following Signalman in 2018.

Dale Romans offers a three-pronged attack, led by GIII Iroquois S. winner Sittin On Go (Brody’s Cause). Campaigned by the Albaugh Family, the chestnut launched his career with a five-furlong win at Ellis in August before taking his route bow in the Iroquois. He was most recently ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Running for the same connections, Smiley Sobotka (Brody’s Cause) was runner-up in his career bow while negotiating 6 1/2 furlongs at Ellis in August before graduating in his route unveiling at Keeneland Oct. 4. Rounding out the Romans triumvirate is Ultimate Badger (Commissioner), who won his latest start in a optional claimer over track and trip Oct. 25.

Looking for a class break is Keepmeinmind (Laoban), on the board in all three prior starts, including a second in the Breeders’ Futurity followed by a third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. David Cohen, aboard for the bay’s first two career starts, reunites with the colt Saturday.

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McPeek Seeing Stars? Trainer Has 13 Entries For All-Juvenile Program At Churchill Downs

Trainer Kenny McPeek has 13 horses entered in Saturday's “Stars of Tomorrow II” program at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., and among his rising juveniles on the card are Grade 1 winner Simply Ravishing in the $200,000 Golden Rod (G2) and stakes winner King Fury in the $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2).

McPeek will attempt to win his second Golden Rod in this year's edition with Harold Lerner LLC, Magdalena Racing and Nehoc Stables' $350,000 Ashland (G1) winner Simply Ravishing. In her most recent start, the promising filly finished fourth in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

“I thought she ran a great race considering how it shaped up early,” McPeek said. “She didn't break well at all and had a tough trip the entire way around there. I think it was very promising the way she finished up considering the problems she had.”

Simply Ravishing was made the even-money morning line favorite in the Golden Rod and will break from post No. 8 with Robby Albarado in the saddle.

Two races later, Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm's $98,000 Street Sense winner King Fury is listed at 6-1 on the morning line as he attempts his third victory at Churchill Downs.

“He's 2-for-2 at Churchill Downs so we know he really likes it here,” McPeek said. “We've added blinkers to him in hopes to get him to the next level. I think they could add to his focus and really get him there. His only two blemishes came at Keeneland so we're excited to get him back to Churchill.”

McPeek has won 12 races on the Stars of Tomorrow II program since it was inaugurated in 2006. He won the 2010 Golden Rod with Kathballu and finished second in last year's race with Swiss Skydiver. In 2018, McPeek won the Kentucky Jockey Club with Signalman.

Run at 1 1/16 miles, the Kentucky Jockey Club is carded as Race 11 of 12 on Saturday's program. First post is 1 p.m. ET, the Kentucky Jockey Club will go at 5:56 p.m., and the Golden Rod will go as Race 9 at 4:57 p.m.

In the Kentucky Jockey Club, Cypress Creek and Arnold Bennewith's $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) third-place finisher Keepmeinmind was made the 6-5 morning line favorite in the field of nine.

The complete field for the Kentucky Jockey Club (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): #1 Sittin On Go (Corey Lanerie, Dale Romans, 5-1); #1a Smiley Sobotka (Corey Lanerie, Dale Romans, 5-1); #2 Swill (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox, 6-1); #3 Arabian Prince (Tyler Gaffalione, Dallas Stewart, 8-1); #4 Keepmeinmind (David Cohen, Robertino Diodoro 6-5); #5 Inspector Frost (John Velazquez, Cox, 8-1); #6 Oncoming Train (Rafael Bejarano, Jimmy DiVito, 10-1); #7 King Fury (Hernandez, McPeek, 6-1); #8 Ultimate Badger (Joe Talamo, Romans, 15-1).

The field for the Golden Rod, from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): Lady Lilly (Tyler Gaffalione, Steve Asmussen, 15-1); No Mo Spending (Chris Landeros, Ian Wilkes, 15-1); Coach (Joe Talamo, Cox, 6-1); Farsighted (Julien Leparoux, Rusty Arnold II, 15-1); Travel Column (Florent Geroux, Cox, 5-1); Clairiere (Ricardo Santana Jr., Asmussen, 6-1); Lady Traveler (Corey Lanerie, Dale Romans, 20-1); Simply Ravishing (Albarado, McPeek, even-money); Princess Theorem (John Velazquez, Brendan Walsh, 10-1); and Alexandria (Gerardo Corrales, Tim Hamm, 15-1).

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Keepmeinmind Faces Stakes Winners King Fury, Sittin On Go In Saturday’s Kentucky Jockey Club

Cypress Creek and Arnold Bennewith's $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (Grade 1) third-place finisher Keepmeinmind will be in search of his first-career victory against a competitive field of nine 2-year-olds, which includes stakes winners King Fury and Sittin On Go, entered in Saturday's 94th running of the $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs.

Run at 1 1/16 miles, the Kentucky Jockey Club is carded as Race 11 of 12 on Saturday's “Stars of Tomorrow II” program featuring all 2-year-old races. First post is 1 p.m. and the Kentucky Jockey Club will go at 5:56 p.m. The race will share the spotlight with its counterpart, the $200,000 Golden Rod (GII) for 2-year-old fillies. The Golden Rod will go as Race 9 at 4:57 p.m.

Churchill Downs' Stars of Tomorrow programs have helped launch the career of more than 50 G1 winners including Kentucky Oaks winners Rachel Alexandra, Believe You Can and Monomoy Girl, Preakness (G1) winner Swiss Skydiver and 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, who won the Kentucky Jockey Club in 2009.

Keepmeinmind has yet to record a victory for trainer Robertino Diodoro but sports a runner-up effort behind likely 2-year-old champion Essential Quality in the $400,000 Breeders' Futurity (G1). Following the Breeders' Futurity, he finished third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile where he was defeated two lengths by Essential Quality and Hot Rod Charlie.

Diodoro's go-to rider David Cohen has the mount on Keepmeinmind and will break from post position No. 4.

Another juvenile likely to garner attention in the Kentucky Jockey Club is Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm's $98,000 Street Sense winner King Fury. Trained by Kenny McPeek, King Fury will add blinkers for his start in the Kentucky Jockey Club following his seventh-place effort in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Named after the superstar boxer Tyson Fury, King Fury added blinkers in his most recent work at Churchill Downs, a five-furlong move in 1:00.60.

Brian Hernandez Jr. has the call on King Fury from post 8.

Also entered in the field is Albaugh Family Stable's coupled entry of $200,000 Iroquois (GIII) upset winner Sittin On Go and recent maiden winner Smiley Sobotka. Trained by Dale Romans, Sittin On Go recorded a shocking 24-1 upset victory in the Iroquois by 2 ½ lengths. In his first try at two turns, Sittin On Go was forced very wide in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and finished a non-descript ninth.

Corey Lanerie is named in the program on both horses. Should the bottom part of the entry, Smiley Sobotka, run in the field, there will be a late jockey change. Sittin On Go will break from post 2 while Smiley Sobotka drew post 5.

Trainer Brad Cox entered two of his promising juveniles in the Kentucky Jockey Club. Kueber Racing and Ten Strike Racing's three-length maiden winner Swill will break from the rail with Florent Geroux in the irons and Godolphin's two-length maiden winner Inspector Frost drew post 6 with Hall of Famer John Velazquez in the saddle. Swill, a 2-year-old colt by Munnings, was a wire-to-wire winner in his third start on Sept. 24 at Churchill Downs while Inspector Frost broke his maiden at second asking on Oct. 18 at Keeneland under Geroux. This will be both colt's first start going two turns and they will both remove blinkers for this start.

The complete field for the Kentucky Jockey Club (with jockey and trainer): #1 Sittin On Go (Corey Lanerie, Dale Romans); #1a Smiley Sobotka (Corey Lanerie, Dale Romans); #2 Swill (Geroux, Cox); #3 Arabian Prince (Tyler Gaffalione, Dallas Stewart); #4 Keepmeinmind (Cohen, Diodoro); #5 Inspector Frost (Velazquez, Cox); #6 Oncoming Train (Rafael Bejarano, Jimmy DiVito); #7 King Fury (Hernandez, McPeek); and #8 Ultimate Badger (Joe Talamo, Romans).

As a “Prep Season” race on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby,” the Top 4 finishers in the Kentucky Jockey Club will receive 10-4-2-1 points, respectively.

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