Charming Kitten Caps Day for Pletcher
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Three weeks after making his first start since being injured in the Tampa Bay Derby last year, Spring Hill Farm was back in the starting gate facing a familiar foe. Last time out, Spring Hill Farm gained the lead in the far turn of a mile long optional claiming race but could not hold off the top two, Swagger Jack and Ever So Lucky. A cut back in distance and a more ideal trip combined to help Spring Hill Farm exact revenge on at least one of those foes in today's fifth race at Gulfstream Park. Facing Ever So Lucky again did not phase the Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton owned colt, however. With Velazquez aboard, Spring Hill Farm broke on top and never let go of the lead despite Ever So Lucky's best efforts to get by the winner on the rail in the stretch.
Pletcher appeared pleased with his colt's effort. "We'll talk to the connections here. We'll probably look to run him here in about a month or so. We'll figure out what kind of race," Pletcher stated. "I thought he got there in pretty good shape. I know that Ever So Lucky is a nice horse. We had enough to hold him off."
Five races later, the dynamic duo was back in the winner's circle, this time for the Ramseys with Charming Kitten in the Kitten's Joy Stakes. Sent off as the heavy favorite in a field of eight, Charming Kitten did not disappoint. Coming out of the turn for home, Charming Kitten edged past pacesetting Redwood Kitten, also owned by the Ramseys, and held off Bambazonki to earn just his second career victory. After the race, Pletcher said that they would stay at Gulfstream with Charming Kitten and look at the next stake for him.
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