Yawanna Twist Headlines King's Point

Yawanna Twist, a sharp winner of his 2011 debut following a nine-month layoff, heads a field of six entered in Saturday’s $65,000 Kings Point for New York-breds going 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct Racetrack.

A winner of his first two starts by a combined margin of nearly 10 lengths over the Big A’s inner track, Yawanna Twist next stepped up into stakes company and was runner-up to Awesome Act in the 2010 Grade 3 Gotham. Subsequently second as the favorite in the Grade 3 Illinois Derby, the Yonaguska colt then finished fourth, just 1 ¾ lengths behind eventual divisional champion Lookin At Lucky, in the Grade 1 Preakness on May 15 in what would be his final start as a 3-year-old.

Having returned to training late last year, Yawanna Twist overcame a crowded start and rallied for a 1 ½-length victory going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park on February 5, lifting his record to 3-2-0 from six starts.

“We’re happy to have him in this spot,” said trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. from Gulfstream Park. “He’s doing very well, his first race back was a good one, and we know he likes the inner track.”

Mike Luzzi will be aboard Yawanna Twist, the 7-5 favorite on the morning line under 118 pounds, from post position 4.

Sharing high weight of 124 pounds are the 5-year-old Inherit the Gold, coming off a three-length victory over Spa City Fever in the Mr. International overnight stakes on January 26, and Mine Over Matter, making his first start as a 4-year-old in the Kings Point.

Inherit the Gold, a homebred son of Gold Token trained by Jim Hooper for his wife, Susanne, will be going for his fourth straight inner track win in the Kings Point, having taken a pair of optional claimers on December 16 and January 11 prior to the Mr. International.

“He likes two turns – I really don’t think the track matters, although he does seem to like the inner track,” said Hooper of the consistent gelding, 5-3-2 from 12 lifetime starts. “I think he’s really matured. He’s a smart horse, and he seems to have grown into himself.”

Regular rider Eddie Castro is aboard Inherit the Gold, the second choice on the morning line at 9-5, from post position 6.

Mine Over Matter, whose most recent win came over Giant Moon and Naughty New Yorker in the Salute Me Sir at Belmont Park on September 17, drew the rail under Cornelio Velasquez at 5-1 on the morning line.

Spa City Fever, who made eight of his nine 2010 starts on the turf, got to spend the winter in New York after demonstrating his ability to handle the inner track with a fifth-place finish in the Alex M. Robb, in which he was beaten less than four lengths by Icabad Crane. Second in the Mr. International, Spa City Fever then was third to Icabad Crane and Manteca in the G’Day Mate on February 17.

“This will most likely be his last dirt race before returning to the turf,” said trainer Pat Kelly.

Jorge Chavez rides Spa City Fever, 8-1 on the morning line, from post position 5.

Rounding out the field are Stud Muffin, the 2008 Empire Classic winner who was recently claimed by David Jacobson for Bruce Golden, and Thunder Chief, making his stakes debut after winning an allowance at the Big A on January 29.

The field for the $65,000 Kings Point: