Ben's Cat Tops Stakes Nominations for Laurel's Closing Weekend

Led by Maryland-bred multimillionaire Ben’s Cat, a total of 35 horses were nominated to the closing weekend stakes on the final Saturday of Laurel Park’s 24-day summer stand Aug. 20.

The $75,000 Mister Diz for 3-year-olds and up and the $75,000 Jameela for females 3 and older, both for Maryland-bred/sired horses going six furlongs on the turf, highlight Laurel’s annual Maryland Pride Day program.

Bred, owned and trained by Hall of Fame horseman King Leatherbury, 10-year-old Ben’s Cat is going for his seventh straight win in the Mister Diz. According to statistics provided by Equibase, it would match the record set by Leaping Plum in Fonner Park’s Grasmick Handicap (1995-2001).

Also among the 17 nominees are stakes winners Night Officer and Noteworthy Peach; stakes-placed Easy River and Rockinn On Bye; and recent allowance winners Blu Moon Ace, Connemara Coast, Grandiflora and Just Jack.

The Jameela attracted 18 nominations topped by Monster Sleeping and Everything Lovely, who ran 1-2 in last year’s race. A multiple stakes winner of $521,207 from 50 career starts, 7-year-old Monster Sleeping is one of two Dale Capuano-trained horses nominated, along with 4-year-old filly Rocky Policy, claimed for $32,000 out of his last start June 10 at Pimlico.

Fly Girl, second in the 2015 Maryland Million Lassie; 2014 Maryland Million Lassie winner My Magician; recent maiden winners Capucine and Sazerac Girl; and Like a Lion, a 10 ½-length maiden winner June 28 at Parx, are also nominated.

Laurel’s summer meet wraps up Sunday, Aug. 21. Following the Maryland State Fair meet at Timonium Aug. 26 to Sept. 5, racing returns to Laurel Sept. 9 for the fall meet featuring the world-class turf course.

Source: Maryland Jockey Club