Wow Cat connections 'definitely' looking at Breeders' Cup Distaff
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Photo:
Courtesy of the NYRA
Wow Cat continues to do well following her victory in Saturday's Grade 1, $400,000 Beldame and is now on target to head to the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff on November 3 at Churchill Downs, co-owner Peter Brant said.
Wow Cat earned her first win in three starts since arriving from Chile, outkicking Divine Miss Grey by 3 ¼ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on the Belmont Park main track. Trainer Chad Brown said Wow Cat seemed to like Belmont's Big Sandy track better than Saratoga Race Course, where she ran second in the Grade 3 Shuvee and third in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign when she was 10 lengths back to Elate and winner Able Tasman.
As long as health permits, the 4-year-old Lookin at Lucky filly will look to parlay the Beldame success into the 1 1/8-mile Distaff for the world's top female dirt horses.
"We're definitely looking at the Breeders' Cup. I'll leave it up to Chad, but she's been training very well," said Brant, who owns her along with Stud Vendaval. "She ran impressively. We think she can continue to get better, and if she runs in the Breeders' Cup, we hope she'll continue to improve and do well."
Wow Cat went 8-for-8 in her native country before arriving in North America this year, including winning the Chilean Triple Crown over males. Brant said she's improved as she's gotten settled since starting her U.S. workouts in May.
"She's been training very well," Brant said. "It's taken some time to climatize. She's been here six months, and we've found that's when they usually start doing better."
In her last race in Chile, Wow Cat won the St. Leger on December 9, marking her fourth Group 1 win. After a nearly seven-month layoff, she finished a neck behind Farrell in the Shuvee.
"In her first race back, she ran gamely, but the track must have taken a little out of her. It was her first race off a layoff," Brant said. "She had to face some great horses in Saratoga. We've always been very excited about her. But she seems to like Belmont better."
Brown said on Sunday that Wow Cat will likely breeze twice before the Breeders' Cup and ship to Kentucky the week of the race.
Wow Cat earned her first win in three starts since arriving from Chile, outkicking Divine Miss Grey by 3 ¼ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on the Belmont Park main track. Trainer Chad Brown said Wow Cat seemed to like Belmont's Big Sandy track better than Saratoga Race Course, where she ran second in the Grade 3 Shuvee and third in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign when she was 10 lengths back to Elate and winner Able Tasman.
As long as health permits, the 4-year-old Lookin at Lucky filly will look to parlay the Beldame success into the 1 1/8-mile Distaff for the world's top female dirt horses.
"We're definitely looking at the Breeders' Cup. I'll leave it up to Chad, but she's been training very well," said Brant, who owns her along with Stud Vendaval. "She ran impressively. We think she can continue to get better, and if she runs in the Breeders' Cup, we hope she'll continue to improve and do well."
Wow Cat went 8-for-8 in her native country before arriving in North America this year, including winning the Chilean Triple Crown over males. Brant said she's improved as she's gotten settled since starting her U.S. workouts in May.
"She's been training very well," Brant said. "It's taken some time to climatize. She's been here six months, and we've found that's when they usually start doing better."
In her last race in Chile, Wow Cat won the St. Leger on December 9, marking her fourth Group 1 win. After a nearly seven-month layoff, she finished a neck behind Farrell in the Shuvee.
"In her first race back, she ran gamely, but the track must have taken a little out of her. It was her first race off a layoff," Brant said. "She had to face some great horses in Saratoga. We've always been very excited about her. But she seems to like Belmont better."
Brown said on Sunday that Wow Cat will likely breeze twice before the Breeders' Cup and ship to Kentucky the week of the race.
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