King of Speed on the improve

ARCADIA, Calif. – King of Speed was a surprise winner at 15-1 as a maiden in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf on Sept. 2. The one person who expected a big performance was jockey Gary Stevens, who had ridden the colt in his first four races and saw evidence of improvement.

“Gary told me, ‘I’m taking him back. I’m going to the rail, and here I come,’ ” trainer Jeff Bonde said. “I guess that’s why he’s a Hall of Famer.”

King of Speed rallied on the inside to win the one-mile race by three-quarters of a length. The victory has led to a start in Monday’s $100,000 Zuma Beach Stakes for 2-year-olds at a mile on turf at Santa Anita. King of Speed is part of a field of eight in a race that could produce a runner or two for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 2.

Other notable runners are Ship of the Line, a maiden-race winner at Ellis Park on Sept. 2; Takeo Squared, who was third in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf; the Del Mar maiden-race winners More Ice and Much Better; and Spin Lightning, who was fifth in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 3.

KEY CONTENDERS

King of Speed, by Jimmy Creed Last 3 Beyers: 69-54-53

◗ Bonde, who trains King of Speed for David and John Del Secco, said experience has been vital for King of Speed.

“In his early races, he was a big, dumb teenager, according to Gary,” Bonde said. “The horse is getting bigger and stronger. I like where we are.”

◗ King of Speed is a closer. Runners such as Much Better and Ship of the Line should ensure a fast pace.

Ship of the Line, by Red Rocks Last 2 Beyers: 63-41

◗ Ship of the Line is the first runner in California for Kentucky-based trainer Jack Sisterson, a former assistant to Doug O’Neill. Ship of the Line, owned by Calumet Farm, was third in his debut at Arlington Park on Aug. 11 and led throughout a maiden special weight race at a mile on turf at Ellis Park.

“The plan was to get him on the grass,” Sisterson said. “This is his third start on a different track, and that’s a lot to ask. He’s very professional.

“He’s a game horse. If he feels a bit of pressure, he’ll move forward. There’s no reason he won’t be on the lead again.”

Takeo Squared, by Square Eddie Last 3 Beyers: 66-48-44

◗ Takeo Squared closed from eighth to finish 1 1/4 lengths behind King of Speed in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf and could have finished closer with a better trip. In the final strides, Takeo Squared was in tight quarters.

◗ Takeo Squared won a maiden race at a mile on turf for California-breds in his debut on the surface on Aug. 16.

“He’s got to move forward,” O’Neill said. “At this age, they can.”