BEN’S CAT REMAINS UNDEFEATED WITH MARYLAND MILLION TURF SPRINT SCORE
LAUREL, MD. 10-02-10---The Jim Stable’s Ben’s Cat made it six-for-six with a convincing score in the $100,000 Jim McKay Maryland Million Turf Sprint.
A maiden claiming winner in May at Pimlico, Ben’s Cat has now reeled off six victories, including two stakes, the last two coming over the turf. Ben’s Cat was bred by King Leatherbury, who is also his owner and trainer. Julian Pimentel has been aboard for five of his six trips to the winners’ circle.
“This is a phenomenal horse who just runs,” said Pimentel. “He broke good and I had a good hold of him all the way around. At the quarter pole I just let him go. Turf, dirt, it doesn’t matter, he just runs.”
Out of Parker’s Storm Cat, Ben’s Cat’s debut was delayed by a broken pelvis and the 4-year-old did not make his debut until four months ago.
“I hoped we’d break well and told the jock to use his judgment and to do what was logical,” Leatherbury said. “I wasn’t very confident until he started to draw away, then he looked really good when he went by us.”
Leatherbury moved into a second place tie in the Maryland Million trainer standings with his eighth victory, one behind Dale Capuano. It was his first win at the event in nine years.
Ben’s Cat ran the 5-1/2 furlong distance over the good turf in 1:05.54 and paid $4.60. In his wake at the finish were If Not For Lust and Sandbaggin’ Lover, who finished second and third, respectively.
The race featured two former winners. Kosmo’s Buddy, the 2008 first place finisher, finished fourth, while defending champion Natural Seven was next to last.
Prior to the fourth race, Leatherbury was presented the John Galbreath Award by the University of Louisville. The only other trainer to receive the honor, which is for outstanding entrepreneurship in the equine industry, is Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas. The 77-year-old ranks third on the all-time win list with 6,304 career wins.
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PHOTO CREDIT-Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club
Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club
410-578-4461 (Pimlico)
301-470-5461 (Laurel Park)
240-876-7403 (Mobile)
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