Stephanie's Kitten Roars to Just A Game Win
The grade I Just a Game stakes lived up to the name with two “game” fillies dueling to the wire. In an epic battle between two brave fillies, Stephanie’s Kitten and Better Lucky, it would be the familiar red and white silks of Ken and Sarah Ramsey that graced the winner’s circle.
As expected, Mizdirection broke quickly and took the lead early for hall of famer Mike Smith while setting a “pokey” first quarter mile in 24.50 with the French filly Laugh Out Loud in close pursuit. Centre Court broke fast but took back to sit a stalking trip in 3rd with Better Lucky following her. Stephanie’s Kitten was comfortable early on the rail in 5th with Hungry Island trailing the field. The Jungle Racing (Jim Rome) owned filly, Mizdirection continued to lead the field through a half in 48.13 with Laugh out Loud under pressure to maintain her position.
As they reached the quarter pole, Mizdirection found herself in deep water with the closers surrounding her. Stephanie’s Kitten made a bold move on the rail as Better Lucky closed on the outside. The pair battled into the stretch with Better Lucky putting a nose ahead, but the Kitten battled back on the rail as the two slugged it out in the stretch. John Velazquez implored his filly for more and Stephanie’s Kitten responded to roar to a half-length victory over the courageous but “unlucky” Better Lucky.
Trainer Wayne Catalano said this about Stephanie’s Kitten’s performance; They moved the rail in and [the course there] hadn’t been touched all year. So, the two path was the path to be in. We were in the No. 2 hole and when the hole opened up, and Johnny stuck her head in there, I was happy with it, I really was. When it’s a horse race like that – it looked like it was going to be a bob of a head – I was worried about that. When she sprinted away I was happy.”
The victory in the Just a Game gives Johnny Velazquez his fifth win on the Kitten’s Joy filly. Johnny V who was obviously ecstatic about this fillies courage winning on the rail said this about the race,“It was do-or-die, you stay there or you die in there. It was one of those things. She handled the ground great so that was the most important thing. When I asked her, she was there for me.”
The grade I Just a Game victory gives Stephanie’s Kitten her 5th graded stakes victory and her 2nd grade I with her first coming on the all weather surface at Keeneland in the Alcibiades. The future is bright for this Kitten!