Swiss Wild Cat Wins CTBA

Swiss Wild Cat, piloted by jockey Christian Santiago Reyes, outran stablemate Hi Ho Yodeler in the final sixteenth to win the featured $100,000 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes for California-bred two-year-old fillies today.

Swiss Wild Cat, owned by Heinz Steinman, reached the wire a half-length in front of Hi Ho Yodeler, giving trainer Mike Harrington a one-two sweep in the 5 1/2 furlong sprint. Longshot Rockin Heather held on well to be third, with Miss Reditore fourth in the field of eight.

Early scratches were Cayanna and Seethe Girlgo An incident in the starting gate resulted in the late scratches of  Cookinthisorthat, who flipped in the gate, and Vonn Nez, who was in an adjacent stall. Stewards reported that Cookinthisorthat sustained a minor laceration to a foreleg. Neither David Flores, on Cookinthisorthat, nor Joe Talamo, aboard Vonn Nez, was injured.

Swiss Wild Cat, a daughter of Ministers Wild Cat, ran the distance in 1:04.15 and returned $9.80, $4.80 and $2.80 while earning first prize of  $60,000 after her second triumph in five starts. Hi Ho Yodeler paid $4.60 and $3.60, while Rockin Heather paid $6 to show.

Swiss  Wild Cat provided Reyes, the 2009 Eclipse Award winner as America's top apprentice, with his first Del Mar stakes success. The native of Puerto Rico became a journeyman jockey in May.