String King to take on familiar field in the Dixie Poker Ace Stakes at Fair Grounds
Breeder/owner/trainer Charles Craig Smith saddled his first win as a trainer when he sent out his 4-year-old gelding, String King, to participate in the$100,000 LA Champions Turf Day on 10 December, 2011, at Fair Grounds.
Ridden by jockey J Graham, String King defeated the likes of Kissimmee Kyle in second, and Wildrally in third, while covering the 1 1/16 mile distance in 1 minute and 45.40 seconds on turf.
It was String King’s fourth career start, which became the highlight of his career, especially after three unplaced finishes, starting from his debut race at Louisiana Downs where he finished a dismal ninth, and then over at the same venue on dirt in the Super Derby Prelude, where he finished a non-threatening 10th, and finally 4th in the Unbridled Stakes at Louisiana Downs on 10 September, 2011.
The question Charles Craig Smith would be asking himself would be that is there a second String King win likely in the $60,000 Dixie Poker Ace Stakes on 7 January, 2012, at Fair Grounds race course, over 1 mile on turf, against 9 other 4-year-old and above colts and geldings.
“The only thing that bothers me about Saturday’s race is the weights,” said Smith.
“He’s going to be the youngest horse in there (foaled April 1, 2008), but he’s being asked to carry the most weight (124 pounds). Wildrally, who finished third, two noses behind us last time, is dropping four pounds, and we’re picking up nine. That’s a 13-pound swing in the weights. Wildrally is a good horse. He won the Dixie Poker Ace last year.
“It’s the weights Saturday that have me worried,” said Smith.
“The distance Saturday does not. You know the old saying, ‘Weight will stop a freight train.’”
The Louisiana bred son of Crowned King, out of mare String Dancer by Fly A Kite, String King will come face to face with the 4-year-old Thomas Amoss trained colt, Populist Politics, yet again, after he finished runner up to String King in the LA Champions Turf Day.
The third place LA Champions Turf Day finisher, Wildrally, is in the Dixie Poker Ace lineup as well, and the sparks will fly when revenge is on the cards.
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