Catch a Glimpse Better Than Ava's Kitten in Appalachian

Gary Barber, Michael Ambler and Windways Farm’s Catch a Glimpse justified her 3-5 favoritism by posting a three-quarter length victory over Ava’s Kitten to win the 28th running of the $125,000 Appalachian (G3) Presented by Japan Racing Association for 3-year-old fillies before a Thursday afternoon crowd of 9,846.

Trained by Mark Casse and ridden by Florent Geroux, Catch a Glimpse covered the mile on a firm turf course in 1:37.27. The victory was worth $75,000 and increased Catch a Glimpse’s bankroll to $842,562 with a record of 6-5-0-0.

Now undefeated in five starts on the turf and recently named the 2015 Canadian Horse of the Year, Catch a Glimpse rated just off the pace set by Recognition and Princess Princess, who led the field of 10 through early fractions of :23.37, :47.86 and 1:12.88. On the far turn, Geroux sent Catch a Glimpse after the leaders and quickly assumed command and opened a daylight advantage.

Ava’s Kitten, who had tracked in just behind Catch a Glimpse in the early running, tried to mount a bid in the stretch but could not seriously threaten the winner.

A 2014 Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduate, Catch a Glimpse is a Kentucky-bred daughter of City Zip out of the Irish River (FR) mare Halo River. Halo River won the 1998 running of the Appalachian, establishing the stakes record of 1:34 3/5.

Catch a Glimpse returned $3.20, $2.40 and $2.20. Ava’s Kitten, ridden by Javier Castellano, returned $4.80 and $3.40 in finishing a half-length in front of Outsider Art, who paid $9.20 to show under Drayden Van Dyke.

Spinamiss (IRE) finished another 1¾ lengths back in fourth and was followed in order by Auntie Joy, Princess Princess, Felt in Pocket, Dothraki Queen, Baciami Piccola (GB) and Recognition.