Barry K Schwartz’s GREAT INTENTIONS (Cat Thief) took over from a tiring
Smokey Glacken (Forestry) in midstretch and closed stoutly to earn a three-length win in the $150,000
First Flight S. (G2) at Belmont on Sunday. The
Michael Hushion charge broke alertly but was content to sit off the pace early,
before putting in her potent run. The lone three-year-old in the field completed
the seven furlongs in a solid 1:23 4/5 and rewarded her backers with payoffs of
$8.70, $5.40 and $3.30. The 3-1 second choice was guided to victory by Edgar
Prado.
Habiboo (Unbridled’s Song) made a sharp late run to garner the place at 22-1,
paying $16.40 and $7 while completing the $160.50 exacta. Smokey Glacken, the
2-1 choice, faded to third. The four-year-old was good for $2.90 to show while
finishing off the $581 trifecta. Areek (Deputy Minister) was another half-length
back and trailed by Lilah (Defrere), Fifth Overture (Pulpit), Travelator (A. P
Jet) and Umpateedle (Suave Prospect).
Great Intentions is starting to live up to her name in earning her third
straight win, and first graded stakes. The sophomore lass captured the Oh What A
Windfall S. most recently, and her career line reads 6-4-1-0 with $184,380 in
earnings.
Bred in the Bluegrass State by Alex Rankin, et al., Great Intentions fetched
a bid of $65,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She was produced
from the multiple-stakes winning Packet (Polish Navy), and counts an unnamed
two-year-old Red Ransom colt as a half-brother.