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Retama Park near San Antonio never has been a rewarding place to search for Breeders’ Cup prospects, but that could change, if only for the moment, Saturday. Mike Maker, one of Kentucky’s leading trainers, has brought a couple of promising 2-year-olds to Texas, and in the back of his mind, just waiting for a little encouragement, there’s a Breeders’ Cup idea.
The 2-year-olds are Kera’s Kitten, who’ll run in the $100,000 Joven Stakes, and Lisa’s Kitten, who’ll start in the $100,000 Senorita. Their similarities aren’t just nominal. Both are by Kitten’s Joy, who ran second in 2004 at Lone Star in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.He probably would have won if he hadn’t traveled most of the journey on a boggy inside path, which overnight rains had left much slower and deeper than the outside lanes. Still, he was named the season’s champion turf horse.His first 2-year-olds arrived at the racetrack this year, and already the young stallion has produced 15 winners and two stakes winners, including Becky’s Kitten, whose next start will probably be the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in two weeks. Another Kitten or two for the Cup could emerge Saturday at Retama."We’re focused on these two races," Maker said. "If they run extremely well, the Breeders’ Cup will be considered."And, make no mistake, he expects them to run well. Not originally nominated to the Retama stakes, both were supplemented at a cost of $6,000.Kera’s Kitten has raced but once, winning his debut on a soft turf course at Kentucky Downs. Maker compared him favorably to William’s Kitten, who won the Sunday Silence Stakes at Louisiana Downs. The filly, Lisa’s Kitten, rallied from last to win her most recent outing at Belmont Park.Also among those entered in the Joven are Majestic Vintage, Perfect Lou, Prince Eddington and Nocknonheavensgate. CC’s Pal, who has won consecutive races by 26 total lengths and unbeaten Shotgun Gulch will take on Lisa’s Kitten in the Senorita. Stolis Winner’s dashingStolis Winner, last year’s World Champion who could become quarter horse racing’s all-time leading money winner next month, was focused and ready after a rainy schooling session Thursday morning. He’s the 4-5 favorite in the morning line for Saturday’s $202,200 Dash For Cash Derby at Lone Star Park."He’s training very well, and he’s quite sharp," said his trainer, Heath Taylor. Stolis Winner became the fastest qualifier for the Derby when he won his trial by nearly two lengths, running the 440 yards in 21.225 seconds."He was very impressive [in the trial]," Taylor said, "and he appears to be very focused." Stolis Winner has finished first in nine of his 12 races, including the Rainbow, Heritage Place and All-American Futurity. The All-American outcome, however, awaits a final ruling; an administrative hearing is scheduled for December.Also Saturday at Lone Star, First Corona Call is the 2-1 favorite for the $445,185 Dash For Cash Futurity. Third in the All-American, he won his trial by two lengths.The fastest qualifier, however, with a 19.452 clocking for the 400 yards, was Swingin Daddyo, who’s 3-1 in the morning line. His owner, Debra Gotovac, has announced that she will donate a portion of any purse money won by her horses Saturday to the American Cancer Society and the Allison Cancer Center in Midland. She also has Plan Shady in the Derby and Winning Gol in the Dash For Cash Juvenile.BrieflyGold Coyote, a multiple stakes winner and Lone Star Park champion, will take on Por Que and Ain’t He A Pistol in today’s featured race at Remington Park in Oklahoma City.Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw, Okla., will close permanently after its current season ends Nov. 28, it was announced Thursday. In 1984, Blue Ribbon became the state’s first pari-mutuel racetrack, but it has a history of financial troubles.Blame, the lightly raced but very talented runner-up in the Super Derby, will make his next start Oct. 31 in the Fayette Stakes at Keeneland, said his trainer, Al Stall Jr. From there, Blame could go to the Clark Handicap next month at Churchill Downs. Regal Ransom, the Super Derby winner, is aimed at the Breeders’ Cup.Gary West, 817-390-7760
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