Love Heart Strikes in Kattegat’s Pride

Photo: Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club

Rosie Napravnik kicked off Pimlico’s Black-Eyed Susan Day with an easy front-running victory atop Love Heart in the $40,000 Kattegat’s Pride Starter Handicap, the opening race on the 13-race card at Old Hilltop.

 

Love Heart, owned by SJS Stable and trained by John Hartsell, broke to the front and led every step of the way, completing the 1 1/16 miles over the sloppy going in 1:46.91. The daughter of Lion Heart finished 7 ¼ lengths ahead of Will N Pat, with La Reine’s Wager finishing third.

 

Love Heart was the betting favorite in the field of seven Maryland-bred fillies and mares and paid $3.40.

 

Napravnik rode the first winner of her career at Pimlico in 2005 on her very first mount.

 

Hartsell claimed Love Heart for $5,000 at Laurel this past winter. This is her fourth victory in seven starts for her new connections.

 

Kattegat’s Pride Starter Handicap Quotes

Jockey Rosie Napravnik (Love Heart, winner): “The horse had an excellent warm-up. She was much the best today. She made my job easy.”

Read More

Clark Stakes: Odds and analysis for a strong field at Churchill
Friday’s Grade 2, $600,000 Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs drew a field of nine who will race 1 1/8...
Barn Tour: Quality over quantity is working well for Motion
In the last 10 years or so, the number of Graham Motion's starters has steadily declined. He's had...
Joseph plans Pegasus preps for White Abarrio, Skippy
Looking forward to seeking a fifth consecutive championship meet title when the 2025-26 season gets underway Thursday at...
Regaled returns in Falls City after 'huge' Breeders' Cup effort
Breeders’ Cup Distaff third-place finisher Regaled impressed her connections earlier this month with her effort at Del Mar,...
Wednesday tab: Sandman has 1st work since his turf attempt
Sandman worked Wednesday at Casse Training Center for the first time since a ninth-place finish in the Grade...