Jewel of a Cat Claws Out Neck Win in Windley Key

J and J Stables’ Jewel of a Cat withstood involvement in a heated early pace to eke out a victory by a neck in Sunday’s $75,000 Windley Key Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

It was the second-straight stakes victory since joining the stable of trainer Carlo Vaccarezza. The 5-year-old mare, who beat the boys by two lengths in the $100,000 Millions Turf Sprint at Gulfstream Park West Nov. 7, had a much tougher time narrowly dispensing of seven fillies and mares in Sunday’s five-furlong dash over a firm turf course.

Breaking alertly under Paco Lopez from her outside post position, the daughter of Wildcat Heir became involved in a three-horse battle with Silver Sashay and Aquinnah to her inside along the backstretch and around the far turn. After Silver Sashey dropped out of contention on the turn into the homestretch, Jewel a Cat battled with Aquinnah through the stretch before edging away and holding off a late inside surge by Tesalina. Catching Fireflies finished third, another neck back and a half-length ahead of Aquinnah.

The winning 7-5 favorite ran five furlongs in 55.34 seconds.

“She’s always game. She’s a fighter. They put a lot of pressure on her today. That’s what shows what she’s made of,” Vaccarezza said.

After John Williams, a partner in Vaccarezza’s restaurant business, bought out his partner in Jewel of a Cat, the Florida-bred mare was transferred to Vaccarezza from Ben Perkins, who had saddled her for a victory in the Ladies Turf Sprint at Gulfstream Park last February. After pondering the possibility of breeding his mare to Empire Maker, Williams decided to keep her in training.

“She’s a very quality mare,” Vaccarezza said. “Maybe next time she’ll run in the Sunshine Millions (Turf Sprint on Jan. 16). She’s already beaten the boys.”

Note: Jockey Jose Lezcano reported that he was feeling ill after riding in the fourth race and took off his remaining mounts.

Who’s Hot: Jockey Luis Saez cemented his No. 2 ranking in the jockey’s standings with a pair of winners: Awesome Dame ($7.80) in the fourth and Mitos Y Leyandas ($9.20) in the sixth. No. 1 Javier Castellano also doubled, scoring with Big Paul ($7.40) in the first and I’m No Secret ($7.40) in the seventh.

Luca Panici also rode a pair of winners, visiting the winner’s circle with Tequesta Storm ($10) in the fifth and Garabato ($16.80) in the eighth.