Three Triple Crown winners are to be found in the pedigree of Market King. On his sire’s side, Affirmed makes his mark. On his dam’s side, the names Secretariat and Seattle Slew can be seen. It is in Market King’s blood to win the Preakness Stakes this Saturday.
Flaxman Holding Ltd. paired Into Mischief with a daughter of top European mare Divine Proportions, Divine Presence (by A.P. Indy). The pairing produced a bay colt on Feb. 9th, 2016.
The colt’s pedigree and attractive physique made him sought after in the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He was purchased for $550k by Robert C. Baker and William Mack not long after he entered the sales ring.
When he was two-years old, Market King began training with D. Wayne Lukas. Lukas has previously trained horses such as Winning Colors, Charismatic, Tabasco Cat, and Lady’s Secret. Market King made his debut for his connections on June 23rd, 2018, at Churchill Downs. He finished eighth. It took him a ninth at Saratoga, a second at Churchill, and a 6th at Oaklawn Park the following year before he could break his maiden.
After his maiden win in Feb. of 2019, Market King finished third in an allowance race at Oaklawn. Because he was not performing extremely impressively, it was almost surprising to see him entered in the Gr.2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn. However, how is one truly to know if their horse is graded stakes quality without testing them in that company?
Market King raced in division two of the Rebel Stakes at odds of 48-1. Jockey John Velazquez guided his horse from post one to the top of the pack, setting the pace in the race. Omaha Beach and Game Winner took the lead around the far turn, but they were the only ones able to finish above Market King. He crossed the wire third.
Market King’s final race thus far came in the Gr.2 Blue Grass Stakes. This time with Jon Court in the irons, Market King stalked the pace and tired in the stretch, finishing a disappointing eleventh in a field of thirteen.
It has now been one month since Market King made his last start, so it is time for another. He has been working out well, breezing 5f on May 7th and 11th, finishing in 1:00.20 and 1:00.40. He ranked in the top five for both of those works.
Although Market King does not have a strong race record, he is coming in with an experienced trainer. D. Wayne Lukas has saddled 43 horses in the Preakness Stakes. He won with Codex in 1980, Tanks Prospect in 1985, Tabasco Cat in 1994, Timber Country in 1995, Charismatic in 1999, and with Oxbow in 2013.
Market King will likely be a longshot this Saturday, but his pedigree suggests Preakness winning capabilities. Saturday we will find out whether or not Market King is able to give D. Wayne Lukas his 7th Preakness Stakes victor.
Market King finishing 3rd in the Gr.2 Rebel Stakes
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Sources: Equibase
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