Kona Stakes – Grade III
6 1/2 Furlongs Dirt Stake Purse $100.000 Open 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st     Duke King        Mental Bloch Racing        Van Dyke D

Well in a race that looked more like a grade one that a sixty buck to the winner grade three it was fitting that the best horse at least won. Back to dirt sprinting he was back to his old self moving comfortably away down the stretch for a lovely win. This eight year old is fast becoming a crowd favorite and i hope he makes it through to the BC for the new trainer who is loving the ride.

2nd       Ginger Clean      The Sidley Stud       Maldonado E

Did a great job from a horrible gate but could’ve tried all day and still not beaten the winner with the draws they had today. He has come a long way since the cheap fair track allowance he won last year and i feel with a decent draw there is a good win to come.

3rd      Electric        Angelos Stable       Pyfer J

didn’t look up to some of these but ran on really well to grab third from a fair way back. He never looked like catching the first two but did a nice job in getting third in the end.

4th      Dutty John Crow     John Henry       Velazquez J R

Tried to make all which a month ago i would’ve said would win the race but the new race engine is looking a little like the old one recently especially when he faded at the end. I think there is more to come yet from this four year old as that age group always tend to struggle in this part of the season.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES