King David hopeful of topping the Commonwealth Turf at Churchill Downs
Under the Churchill lights, an absurdly competitive field of 14 sophomore runners will look to top the Grade 3, $100,000 Commonwealth Turf Stakes, which originally drew a field of 18, two were excluded, and now with two eligible’s, it is technically a field of 16 runners.
It will certainly be a show, when a mass of horse flesh will come roaring out of the Churchill Downs gates, but it will be equally difficult to spot a favourite, but if things are determined on current form, than only one name comes to mind, and that is of King David.
The Michael Maker trained colt has been prolific this season with five victories out of six starts, and the loss was also a runner-up finish, and on top of it all, he is coming off a brilliant victory in the Grade 1 Jamaica Handicap over 1 1/8 miles at Belmont Park.
On 6 October, King David destroyed the Jamaica Handicap field, and defeated the likes of King Kreesa in second and Summer Front in third, and under jockey Rosie Napravnik, the duo downed the distance in 1 minute and 52.91 seconds.
Rider, Julien Leparoux, will be aboard King David for the Commonwealth Turf, but for a colt who has dwelled and enjoyed most of his current success maiden and claiming races, wouldn’t he have something to prove, despite a drop from grade 3 to grade 1.
It is a little ironic because even with this being a Grade 3, it might actually be a deeper race [than the Jamaica],” said trainer Mike Maker. “So yes, that’ll make our task tougher than the last time. But I do think he’s got the credentials now, absolutely. We brought him back to Trackside after that last race and got a few works under his belt, and he hasn’t missed a beat.”
On the other hand, the top three finishers of the Grade 3 Hawthorne Derby, Two Months Rent, first, the runner-up, Film Shot, and the third place finisher, Lea, will be breathing down King David’s neck throughout the distance.
It will be an exciting challenge under lights, with King David a lot to prove that his Grade 1 Jamaica Handicap wasn’t a fluke, and that he deserves to be in this class.
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