Kitten's Dumplings Cruises as Regret Favorite

The Regret, which honors the first filly to win the Kentucky Derby in 1915, was one of five graded stakes races run under the lights Saturday as part of Churchill Downs’ “Downs After Dark Presented by Stella Artois and Finlandia Vodka” nighttime racing program. Ridden by Joel Rosario and trained by the Spring Meet’s leading trainer Mike Maker, Kitten’s Dumplings completed the 1 1/8 miles on the firm Matt Winn Turf Course in 1:48.41. Kitten’s Dumplings, a bay daughter of Kitten’s Joy out of the Grand Slam mare Granny Franny, raced near the back of the field while Eden Prairie led the field of 11 3-year-old fillies through fractions of :23, :46.98 and 1:11.72. Odds-on favorite at 3-5, Kitten’s Dumplings moved toward the leaders on the far turn and then swung five-wide entering the stretch. She made the lead nearing the eighth-pole and then drew off with little urging by Rosario. Kitten’s Dumplings paid $3.40, $2.60 and $2.20. Praia finished well to be second best under Alan Garcia and returned $7.80 and $5.20 with Oscar Party, under Norberto Arroyo Jr., another three-quarters of a length back in third and returning $5.20 to show. Broken Spell finished fourth and was followed in order by Miss Squeal, Beverage Queen, Seaneen Girl, Abbey Street, Eden Prairie, Miss Lucky Sevens and Intelyhente. Kitten’s Dumplings collected $66,381 for Saturday’s win and increased her bankroll to $313,262. She has four wins and one second from nine career starts. The win was the 23^rd of the meet for the Ramseys, who are seeking their record-extending 19^th leading-owners title at the Louisville racetrack. The record for wins by an owner in a single meet at Churchill Downs is 27, which was set by A.J. Foyt III during the 93-day Spring/Summer Meet of 1984.