Ben's Cat Ready To Rumble
Fan favorite Ben’s Cat will be at it again on Saturday evening at Penn National Race Course. The 9-year-old warrior will attempt to win his 25th stakes race and 30th overall race in the Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup.
Soon to be Hall of Fame trainer King T. Leatherbury has Ben’s Cat ready to roll in what could be his 30th lifetime victory in this 48th start. This will be Ben’s Cat fourth time running in the Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup and he’ll be attempting to win it for a second time, winning the 2011 edition along with a fourth place finish in 2012 and a third place finish in 2013.
Six other rivals will be lining up against Ben’s Cat in the starting gate, of which include the horses who completed the superfecta behind him last out in the Jim McKay Turf Sprint. His toughest competitor is likely to be his familiar rival Bold Thunder, who was only a neck back from Ben’s Cat in his last start. Bold Thunder defeated Ben’s Cat in an allowance the month prior to the Jim McKay. The two have had a fair share of wins and close losses to each other throughout recent memory.
Amelia’s Wild Ride was third last out behind Ben’s Cat. This year’s Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint winner is searching for this 8th lifetime win. Grateful Nation completed the super in the Jim McKay and is looking to find the winner’s circle for the first time since last September. Fabulous Kid, winner of an allowance optional claimer last out at Parx, Last Heartbreaker, and Snow Leopard round out the field for the PA Governor’s Cup.
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Both horse and race hold a special place in my heart because Ben’s Cat’s victory in the 2011 Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup was the first stakes race I ever had the privilege of witnessing in person. Always a favorite since, I’ve reveled in the success he’s built over the years. Then was only his 6th stakes victory to date, now, four years later, I’ll be hoping to experience some déjà vu, only this time will be this 25th score in a stakes.
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup is one of many stakes races on Penn National’s biggest card of the year, along with the Lyphard Stakes for PA-breds, Penn Oaks featuring Florida Oaks (G3) winner Quality Rocks, and Mountainview Handicap featuring Cousin Stephen, Kid Cruz, Golden Lad, and Albano, all highlighted by the Grade 3 $500,000 Penn Mile with the likes of Dania Beach (G3) and Transylvania (G3) winner Night Prowler headlining the evenly matched field along with Papacoolpapacool, Ocho Ocho Ocho, and the undefeated Woodwin W, among others.