NYRA/Joe Labozzetta
By Sarah Mace
Millionaire King Kreesa, who has been seeking a return to the winner’s circle ever since taking last year’s renewal of the $150,000, one-mile Forbidden Apple Stakes, combined his hallmark speed with pure grit to win the race the again this year, digging deep to fend off 4-5 favorite Grade 1 winner Force the Pass.
Competitive in most of his six interim starts since winning the race last year, the 7-year-old King Cugat gelding was drawn in post four and bet down to 2-1 second choice under Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Out of the gate a jump ahead of the field, King Kreesa used his greatest asset, early speed, as his weapon of choice. He got over to the fence and led the way through fractions of 24.31 and 47.20 under a snug hold, while Force the Pass chased a length back in second.
King Kreesa continued to cruise along into the far turn, but Force the Pass eroded his lead leaving the pair nearly on even terms late in the bend after six furlongs in 1:09.82
NYRA/Chelsea Durand
Still not headed at the top of the lane, King Kreesa brought out the second weapon in his arsenal: heart. He gave his all for the length of the stretch, holding off his stubborn foe. He ultimately won the battle, scoring his victory over Force the Pass by a nose.
Force the Pass finished 1 1/4 lengths ahead of New York-bred Tapitation, while New York-bred stalwart Lubash and Brickyard Kitten finished next in order. The final time for the mile was 1:33.06. [VIDEO]
Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. said, “There wasn’t too much pace in the race today and that’s his best race. I didn’t take anything away from him that he gave me. The trainer brought him ready because he went a little fast and then, when he felt the other one [Force the Pass] he kept fighting. He’s always a fighter, he has a big heart. He’s a nice horse.”
Trainer David Donk said, “Irad told me afterwards he [King Kreesa] really wants to battle. He didn’t want him to spurt away too much because he didn’t want him hanging.”
Donk continued, “I was really impressed. I was impressed with him last summer, and today. Everyone knows I’m not really a speed guy, but speed is your best friend. I said, ‘Don’t slow it down too much. But keep everybody honest.’ When Johnny [Velazquez aboard Force the Pass] hooked him, I said to myself, ‘Well, we’re going to find out.’”
Donk is considering the West Point Stakes on Saratoga Showcase Day, August 26, for the gelding’s next start.
Bred by owners Gerald and Susan Kresa under the banner of Horse Partners (and given an extra “e” in his name by his breeders, so that their often-mispronounced surname would not extend to the horse), King Kreesa was foaled at Carlland Stables in Avon.
He is the most successful of four winners out of Storm’s Advance, a Florida-bred daughter of Storm Creek who was a multiple winner and stakes-placed on turf ($94,652). Another foal, five-year-old Lady Kreesa by Stonesider, is a multiple winner, a stakes performer and has earned over $230,000.
King Kreesa’s remarkable career has to this point netted him $1,256,704 in earnings from 32 career starts. He has finished in the money 21 times, with ten wins in all (nine in stakes), seven seconds and four thirds while competing both in open company and the ultra-tough New York-bred turf male division.
Voted champion New York-bred turf male in 2013, he has been a contender for the honor both subsequent years, when Lubash took the title. Highlights of his career to date include a pair of victories in the Grade 3 Poker Stakes in 2013 and 2015 and a thrilling second to Wise Dan in the Grade 2 Fourstardave in 2013.
