Churchill: Ward Sends Talented Maidens This Weekend

Trainer Wesley Ward is expecting a big weekend at Churchill Downs for some potential up-and-coming 2-year-olds as he will saddle Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Wayward Kitten in a maiden special weight on the turf Friday night and first-time starter Pow Wow Pal in a maiden special weight on dirt Saturday.

 

Pow Wow Pal is one of two homebred entries for owner My Meadowview Farm in Saturday’s five-furlong maiden event along with Cloverdale Nine. Pow Wow Pal is out of the Grade-I winning mare Funny Moon, while Cloverdale Nine is a half-brother to Grade-I winner and stallion Whywhywhy. Ward said that Pow Wow Pal most likely would be the one making the start on Saturday.

 

“We’re not going to run both of them,” Ward said. “Right now we’re leaning toward Pow Wow Pal over Cloverdale Nine,” Ward said. “They’re both nice horses, and well bred, but I think Cloverdale Nine is going to want to go a little longer. Pow Wow Pal should handle this distance well.”

 

Jockey Rafael Hernandez, who was lured to Kentucky from Illinois by Ward to come ride for some bigger purse money, will ride Pow Wow Pal in Saturday’s seventh race, which goes at approximately 3:53 p.m. ET.

 

“He’s obviously had some success in his career,” Ward said. “He’s a great guy and I wanted to give him the opportunity to perform on a bigger stage.”

 

Hernandez also will ride Wayward Kitten for Ward on Friday night going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. The 2-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy will make his second start after a runner-up effort at Arlington Park in his debut.

 

“Wayward Kitten is looking very good,” Ward said. “He should be tough. Kitten’s Joys get better as time goes on, so I think as the distance gets further on the grass he’ll do better. I’m looking for a big race out of him.”

 

When asked if the Oct. 5 Bourbon (GIII) at Keeneland would be on Wayward Kitten’s radar if he ran a big race Friday, Ward said “Mr. Ramsey has a wealth of 2-year-olds that have won, so we’ll have to sit down with the boss and see what direction he wants to go.”

 

The Bourbon is a “Win and You’re In” qualifying race for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (GI), which will be run at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 31.

 

Source: Churchill Downs Communications