Eden Grey's Kitten Romps in Impressive Debut

The race may have simply been a Louisiana-bred maiden over a grass sprint, but Whispering Oaks Farm’s Eden Grey’s Kitten debuted in a way that contravened the expectations otherwise expected from such a race. Sent off as the 6-5 favorite off a series of strong works and a sharp paddock appearance, the Pelican State-bred son of Kitten’s Joy out-broke eight other rivals and stormed through a first quarter of :22.15 over the good going before proceeding to march home a 10¼-length winner while in hand. 

“At our training center when a horse works in :59 like he did, it’s like going :57 here (at Fair Grounds),” Flint said. “We knew he was a nice colt and had no idea how he’d run on the grass. Obviously being by Kitten’s Joy we were confident he would handle the surface, but I also think he handles the dirt just as well as the the turf – so our options are now open. Plans are up in the air.”

Twice placed through the auction ring without reaching his reserve – including a $92,000 RNA last April at Ocala – Eden Grey’s Kitten is out of the Salt Lake mare Steaming Home, a winner of the Listed Round Tower Stakes in Ireland in 2001. He also hails from the immediate family of Grade I Travers Stakes winner Corporate Report. 

“He came out of the race in good order,” Flint continued. “We’re taking our time with him. I’ll probably sit down with the owner on Tuesday and to go over future plans. We were very impressed with his first race and I think he should progress off that and go on to bigger and better things. Also, it was good that James (Graham) rode him. He’s been on a lot of good 3-year-olds and has a good perspective of what’s going on. You hope to get a horse as good as this.”

ISTANFORD BACK TO WORK

Ike and Dawn Thrash and Janet and Sam Alley’s multiple graded stakes-winning filly Istanford got back to work this week for trainer Mike Stidham. The Florida-bred daughter of Istan worked an easy three-furlongs on New Year’s Day at Fair Grounds Race Course in :38 flat – her first move since an uncharacteristically poor showing in a tough renewal of the Grade I $400,000 First Lady Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 4. 

“She was off for 60 days and is doing well,” said Stidham. “She’s kind of a specialist going a flat mile and we’re going to try to pick out some races going that distance. She’s another one who with maturity and another year into her she’s going to really develop.”

Last Fair Grounds season, the dark bay was an easy winner of a one-mile grass allowance before finishing last in the Listed $125,000 Silverbulletday – her lone dirt try. Since, she has blossomed while winning three graded stakes – including the Grade III $150,000 Arlington Classic against the boys in May. A lover of firm going, she shipped out to Del Mar with a small Stidham string this summer and annexed two stakes over that grass surface – including the Grade II $200,000 San Clemente Handicap in July. All in all, the front-running $25,000 Ocala August purchase has won five of 12 and $387,425 in purses.