'She's legit'; Wow Cat nabs first U.S. win in Belmont's Beldame Stakes

It seemed only a matter of time before Wow Cat, who won her first eight races in Chile before coming to the United States, also struck on American soil.

The Chad Brown-trained daughter of Lookin At Lucky struck Saturday in her third domestic start, taking the Grade 1, $400,000 Beldame Stakes with authority at Belmont Park.

With the victory came a spot in the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs.

Wow Cat, a 4-year-old, was second in Saratoga’s Shuvee (G3) and then well beaten but third in the Personal Ensign (G1) when matched up with Abel Tasman and Elate. The former lost her next start convincingly, and the latter will miss the Breeders’ Cup.

A 3 1/4-length winner Saturday, Wow Cat could factor in a division that over the last week has appeared open.

"It takes your breath away just looking at her, physically," Brown said. "We can't take any credit for the way she looks; she arrived this way. It took awhile for her to acclimate. She was training really well heading into Saratoga. Not only did some extra time help her, I don't think she really cared that much for Saratoga, in hindsight. She never trained great once I got her up there. She trained OK.

"She got beat 10 lengths last time by two really good fillies, but I didn't think the gap should be 10 lengths. She's really a top-class horse. She came to us undefeated. She's legit."

Farrell, a known speedster, broke well in the Beldame and cut the early fractions before fading through the turn. Wow Cat lined up outside of Come Dancing, took the lead at the top of the stretch and cruised to 1 1/8 miles in a final time of 1:47.15.

Campaigned by Peter Brant in partnership with Stud Vendaval Inc., Wow Cat broke as the 6-5 favorite. She finished ahead of Divine Miss Grey and Verve's Tale.