Ramsey Readies Turf Festival Runners
The stable of Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey has made Arlington Million Day its playground in recent years, including winning last year's Grade I Arlington Million with Real Solution and Grade I $500,000 Secretariat Stakes with Admiral Kitten. The key to their success in the present, like many aspects in sport, is its connection to the past – and for the Ramseys such would point to 2004 when they brought their promising sophomore Kitten's Joy to Arlington for the Secretariat and won with aplomb.
The homebred son of El Prado would go on to be one of the most heralded modern American grass horses, despite only running four more times. His racing career would end with a second in the following year's Million, followed by a stud career that has inundated American turf racing – thanks in large part to the broodmare support the Ramseys themselves gushed upon their star – with quality stakes horses and earned him the title of champion sire of 2013 – a rarity for a predominately turf sire.
In 2014, one year after Real Solution and Admiral Kitten – both sons of the luminary stud – roared their ways into the Arlington winner's circle, Ken Ramsey is back and ready to roll out his caucus of kittens once again on the International Festival of Racing.
"Myself and 17 others will be showing up at Arlington, so tell them to be prepared," Ramsey laughed. "The 18 of us will be ready for the winner's circle!"
Even though Real Solution is in great form and expected to defend his crown one year after winning the race via disqualification, it is in Ramsey's Stephanie's Kitten – a mare he holds near and dear to his heart – that his confidence truly resonates.
"She was named after my granddaughter Stephanie and has always been a special horse. She's made a million-seven and she'll make a really special broodmare someday," Ramsey said with tangible appreciation. "We're really looking forward to seeing her run. She was a little off form, but we gave her a big rest down at Kitten's Spa and I think she's the horse to beat. This will be her last year to race and if she comes out okay we'll probably go to the (Grade I) Flower Bowl (Invitational) and then the Breeders' Cup (Filly & Mare Turf).
"We have Frankie (Dettori) coming in from England to ride her and we are looking forward to seeing his flying dismount. She is back!"
Ramsey's cadence picks up a bit when he speaks of Real Solution. There still seems to be some unfinished business for the emblazoned bay horse who manifested a bold mid-stretch move last year, only to be hindered by The Apache, lose by a head at the wire and subsequently be adjudged the winner after said foe was disqualified.
"He's back to defend his crown and let everyone know he's for real," Ramsey explained. "Since last year, he has come back and won the (Grade I) Manhattan impressively. (Jockey Javier) Castellano will ride. If all goes well, we'll take him to the (Grade I) Joe Hirsch and then to the (Grade I) Breeders' Cup (Turf). This is probably his final year and we'll stand him at (Ramsey) Farm, most likely. He's already won a million-three and he's a very good-looking horse."
In addition to the aforementioned stars of his stable (both trained by Chad Brown) Ramsey plans on bringing two horses for supporting stakes on the card – Granny Mc's Kitten for the $75,000 Hatoof Stakes and Puppy Manners in the $65,000 Straight Line Stakes.
"Granny Mc's Kitten is going into the Hatoof and is coming off a layoff. Chad thinks she fits the race fine and the conditions of the Hatoof are right down her alley," Ramsey explained. "Puppy Manners is a horse we bred with our veterinarian. We sold him as a yearling and he ran in four straight stakes races. We claimed him out of his last race and brought him back. Frankie will ride him."
A fifth horse on the day – a juvenile maiden named Crown the Kitten – will also don the Ramsey red and white on Million Day. "Frankie said he would like to try and win a maiden here with him," he said. Crown the Kitten exits a 10th-place finish at Royal Ascot for trainer Wesley Ward and ran an excellent second in a grassy sprint maiden debut at Belmont on June 6 – just 15 days prior.
In other Ramsey news, Grade I winner Admiral Kitten is currently only the fence for the Listed $400,000 American St. Leger, according to trainer Mike Maker's barn. Originally thought to be headed to Woodbine for the Grade II Sky Classic next weekend, he was pre-entered into the American St. Leger on Friday afternoon.
Whether the affable Ramsey comes with five or a half-dozen in as many races, it can all be summed up in the his delightfully poignant words, "If the left one doesn't get them, hopefully the right one will!"