Jimmy Creed colt rallies to take Del Mar Juvenile Turf

King of Speed stormed from last to first in the stretch to win the $100,000 Del Mar Juvenile Turf by three-quarters of a length on Sept. 2, the first stakes win for the 2-year-old Jimmy Creed colt.

Though he was a maiden after four starts, King of Speed is highly thought of by his connections.

“We’ve always liked the horse,” said winning trainer Jeff Bonde. “He always finishes well in his races. Gary (Stevens) has been working him every week and he’s been putting it together and getting better each race.”

Since switching to the turf, King of Speed had two fast-closing finishes, but victory had eluded him. That would all change on Sunday at Del Mar. Though he broke well and was among a wall of horses vying for the lead in the first few jumps, Gary Stevens took the chestnut colt back off the pace.

Content to trail for the first six furlongs, Stevens waited for an opening along the rail, and when one appeared, he gobbled up the ground and was full of run at the wire as he bested Hartel to get the mile in 1:36.77 on the firm turf.

Owned by Del Secco DCS, Inc. and bred by Newaukum Racing Stables LLC, King of Speed is out of the stakes-winning Beautiful Daniele and is from the immediate family of 1997 2-year-old Filly Champion Countess Diana.

After finishing sixth on the 2017 First-Crop Sire list, Jimmy Creed has solidified his position as one of the top young stallions this year. He is currently ranked third on the 2018 Second-Crop Sire list by earnings with over $2.2 million and is tied for first by stakes winners with five.