Charming Kitten holds off Kaigun in McKnight thriller
On paper, it was all Da Big Hoss in the 49th running of the Grade 3 W. L. McKnight Handicap, but the reality was much different. When Da Big Hoss had nothing in the stretch, it was Charming Kitten who seized the lead, and, intent on victory, held off Kaigun by a neck to capture the 1 ½ mile event over the turf labeled firm.
It was a good beginning for all, but Beyond Smart and Emma-Jayne Wilson were away quickest of all and used their rail post to nab the lead and dictate the terms. Speedy War Dancer was right to their outside racing nearly in tandem. Roccia d’Oro took up third with Charming Kitten in fourth. About 6 ½ lengths covered the entire field.
Beyond Smart led them down the backstretch and into the far turn for the first time, maintaining that lead through splits of :24.68 and :49.69. Heading into the clubhouse turn, War Dancer pulled ahead of Beyond Smart and moved out to take a one length lead. Charming Kitten moved up into third, and Da Big Hoss continued to race along in about fifth, firmly ensconced to the outside of traffic.
On the back stretch, Beyond Smart began to lose ground despite the soft pace, and Charming Kitten moved up into second. Behind him, Da Big Hoss loomed large in third as they posted the mile in 1:39.82.
Midway through the final turn, Charming Kitten poked a nose in front of War Dancer, but that one continued to fight on as they straightened away for the run to the wire. Meanwhile, Kaigun, who had moved up into fourth, managed to find running room between Da Big Hoss and Charming Kitten and shifted into high gear to put in his bid for the win.
Peeking under his arm, jockey John Velazquez saw the threat and went to the whip aboard Charming Kitten. Though Kaigun managed to draw nearly even with Charming Kitten, the Ramsey owned colt would not be denied, showing his heart through deep stretch to get the win by a neck in 2:27.76. It was a blanket finish for third, with the show going to favored Da Big Hoss. St. Albans Boy completed the superfecta.
Roccia d’Oro checked in an even fifth. Manchurian High, War Dancer, Morning Calm and Beyond Smart completed the order of finish.
As the 9-2 fourth betting choice, Charming Kitten paid $11.20/$5.40/$3.00. Third choice Kaigun returned $4.40/$2.80 for the place and favorite Da Big Hoss returned $2.20 for the show. The $2 exacta paid $54.60, the $1 trifecta returned $55.90 and the $0.10 superfecta was worth $63.32.
By Kitten’s Joy and out of the Wild Again mare Iteration, Charming Kitten was bred and is owned by Sarah and Ken Ramsey and is trained by Todd Pletcher. Now five, Charming Kitten improved his record to 26: 7-7-2 for purse earnings of $873,937. Previously graded stakes placed, the McKnight was the 5-year-old’s first graded stakes victory. Previous stakes victories include the 2013 edition of the Kitten’s Joy Stakes and the 2014 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational Stakes.