Ben's Cat Entered for Maryland Million Turf
Oct 16, 2014 16:04:32 GMT -5
Post by Jon on Oct 16, 2014 16:04:32 GMT -5
He's like the old Energizer bunny!
Ben's Cat Entered for Maryland Million Turf
By Jack Shinar
Bloodhorse
Ben's Cat will remain on turf as he targets a record fourth win in the 29th Jim McKay Maryland Million at Laurel Park Oct. 18.
Owner/trainer King Leatherbury opted for the $125,000 Turf at one mile for 8-year-old Ben's Cat instead of the $100,000 Maryland Million Sprint on dirt earlier on the Saturday card. The 29-time winner was pre-entered in both races.
The noted turf sprinter has been more effective at shorter distances over his career but he ran a tough second as the 11-10 favorite in the Maryland Million Turf last year. He missed by a neck after leading in the stretch to Roadhog, who also is entered again.
Ben's Cat drew post 2 for his return to the Maryland Million. He won the Turf Sprint three consecutive years (2010-12) before the race was eliminated from the popular series for Maryland-breds.
Leatherbury initially was leaning to the Sprint Saturday, but changed his mind because he felt the Turf was an easier race.
"He’s (Roadhog) not as good as last year, I don’t think," the 81-year-old conditioner said.
With earnings of $2,175,990 over a 43-race career, Ben's Cat is looking to surpass Hall of Fame runner Safely Kept (Distaff-1989-90-91), Countus In (Ladies-1989-90-91), Mz. Zill Bear (Ladies-1993-94-95), and Docent (Sweepstakes-2001 & Classic-2002-03) as the only four-time Maryland Million winners. Julian Pimentel will once again be aboard Ben's Cat, who will carry 119 pounds in the weight-for-age contest.
Ben's Cat has 17 stakes victories on grass but is coming into the race off a third-place finish in the Laurel Dash three weeks ago.
"The last race was very disappointing to me," Leatherbury said. "A lot of times you run third and you’re happy to get third, but not when you expect to win. Even though he ran a nice race, I was disappointed. It worries me a little bit. Usually he runs better than I think he will."
Roadhog, who also won the Maryland Million Turf in 2012, has a win and three second-place finishes in six starts this year for trainer Lizzie Merryman. The 7-year-old son of Bowman's Band is 10-of-35 lifetime with earnings of $609,114. He drew post 9 with Kendrick Carmouche back aboard.
In addition to Roadhog and Ben’s Cat, the 12-horse field features 2012 runner-up Change of Command and stakes-placed Talk Show Man.
Ben's Cat Entered for Maryland Million Turf
By Jack Shinar
Bloodhorse
Ben's Cat will remain on turf as he targets a record fourth win in the 29th Jim McKay Maryland Million at Laurel Park Oct. 18.
Owner/trainer King Leatherbury opted for the $125,000 Turf at one mile for 8-year-old Ben's Cat instead of the $100,000 Maryland Million Sprint on dirt earlier on the Saturday card. The 29-time winner was pre-entered in both races.
The noted turf sprinter has been more effective at shorter distances over his career but he ran a tough second as the 11-10 favorite in the Maryland Million Turf last year. He missed by a neck after leading in the stretch to Roadhog, who also is entered again.
Ben's Cat drew post 2 for his return to the Maryland Million. He won the Turf Sprint three consecutive years (2010-12) before the race was eliminated from the popular series for Maryland-breds.
Leatherbury initially was leaning to the Sprint Saturday, but changed his mind because he felt the Turf was an easier race.
"He’s (Roadhog) not as good as last year, I don’t think," the 81-year-old conditioner said.
With earnings of $2,175,990 over a 43-race career, Ben's Cat is looking to surpass Hall of Fame runner Safely Kept (Distaff-1989-90-91), Countus In (Ladies-1989-90-91), Mz. Zill Bear (Ladies-1993-94-95), and Docent (Sweepstakes-2001 & Classic-2002-03) as the only four-time Maryland Million winners. Julian Pimentel will once again be aboard Ben's Cat, who will carry 119 pounds in the weight-for-age contest.
Ben's Cat has 17 stakes victories on grass but is coming into the race off a third-place finish in the Laurel Dash three weeks ago.
"The last race was very disappointing to me," Leatherbury said. "A lot of times you run third and you’re happy to get third, but not when you expect to win. Even though he ran a nice race, I was disappointed. It worries me a little bit. Usually he runs better than I think he will."
Roadhog, who also won the Maryland Million Turf in 2012, has a win and three second-place finishes in six starts this year for trainer Lizzie Merryman. The 7-year-old son of Bowman's Band is 10-of-35 lifetime with earnings of $609,114. He drew post 9 with Kendrick Carmouche back aboard.
In addition to Roadhog and Ben’s Cat, the 12-horse field features 2012 runner-up Change of Command and stakes-placed Talk Show Man.
