Knicks Go Expected to Run in Metropolitan Handicap
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Photo: Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia/Mathea Kelley
Knicks Go trains at King Abdulaziz Racetrack ahead of the Saudi Cup
Korea Racing Authority's Knicks Go is now being pointed toward the Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1) on the June 5 Belmont Stakes Day undercard for his first start since returning to the United States after finishing fourth Feb. 20 in the $20 million Saudi Cup.
A Maryland-bred multiple grade 1 winner by Paynter , Knicks Go was expected to run May 31 in the Steve Sexton Mile Stakes (G3) at Lone Star Park, but in the aftermath of Charlatan , the Saudi Cup runner-up and likely favorite in the Met Mile, being sidelined, trainer Brad Cox is re-directing Knicks Go to Belmont Park for the prestigious $1 million grade 1 test.
Knicks Go won the 2020 Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and the 2021 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) prior to his loss in the Saudi Cup, which snapped a four-race winning streak.
The Metropolitan Handicap is a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile this fall at Del Mar.
In 19 career starts, Knicks Go has six wins in 19 starts with three seconds and a third for earnings of $4,588,995. He was second in the 2018 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at 2 while racing for Ben Colebrook.
A 5-year-old horse out of the Outflanker mare Kosmo's Buddy, he was bred by Angie Moore.
Knicks Go worked May 23 at Churchill Downs, breezing five furlongs in 59 3/5, second-fastest of 31 works at the distance.