Purchased at the 2017 Barretts March 2-Year-Old in Training Sale, Kanthaka started his career on the West Coast, breaking his maiden in his second start and then winning the San Vicente Stakes (G2) and Laz Barrera Stakes (G3) as a 3-year-old. He tried the turf in June of his 4-year-old season, finishing third in the Daytona Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita.

In 2020, Kanthaka was transferred to trainer Graham Motion. Following 13 months away from the races, he ran an incredible second in the Jaipur Stakes (G1T) at Belmont Park, earning a 101 Beyer Speed Figure.