Dirt or Turf, Kings River Knight is Gallant in Victory

Los Alamitos, CA (June 21, 2025) – Courtesy of Los Alamitos Heavily-favored Kings River Knight (Acclamation) became the third two-time winner of the $101,000 Bertrando Stakes Saturday at Los Alamitos.

Joining Soi Phet, who won the inaugural running in 2014 before scoring again as a 10-year-old in 2018, and Desmond Doss, who went back-to-back in 2021 and 2022, the 7-year-old Acclamation gelding wore down pacesetter and 4-1 second choice Mr. Disrespectful in the final sixteenth to prevail by 1 ¼ lengths.

Owned by Integrity Thoroughbred Racing LLC, The Ellwood Johnston Trust and Kenneth Tevelde and trained by John Sadler, Kings River Knight, the 3-10 choice, earned his 12th win in 19 starts and his third in as many attempts at Los Alamitos. In addition to his two scores in the Bertrando, the bay also won the E.B. Johnston Stakes in 2023.

Worse than second only twice in his career, Kings River Knight, who was ridden by Juan Hernandez, completed one mile in 1:35.90 in a race restricted to 3-year-olds & up bred or sired in California.

He paid $2.60 and $2.10. There was no show wagering. Kings River Knight, who is out of the Poteen mare Seasontoperfection, has now banked $770,730. He was bred by Old English Rancho.

“This horse usually shows speed and today he didn’t have as much as he usually does,’’ said Sadler’s assistant trainer Juan Leyva. “But he pulled through and won on all heart.

“He’s a really nice horse and pleasant to be around. The grass race ($150,000 California Dreamin’ at 1 1/16 miles Aug. 2) is what we’re pointing for. This is a nice race in between and kind of sets him up right for that one.’’