Ben’s Cat celebrates ninth birthday with runner-up finish at Pimlico

Veteran stakes king Ben’s Cat will contest the Jim McKay Turf Sprint for the fifth straight year (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club)

Making his fourth start of the year and first since
returning from South Florida, Bold Thunder (Bold n’ Flashy) spoiled the 2015 debut of
nine-year-old
multiple Grade 3-winning millionaire Ben’s Cat (Parker’s Storm Cat) with a front-running, three-length
victory in Friday’s
2ND race at Pimlico.

Trained by Patricia Farro for owner Andrew
Sulley, Bold Thunder led a field of five through a quarter-mile in :22 3/5
seconds and a half in :45 2/5 while Julien Pimentel settled Ben’s Cat in
second. Bold Thunder hit the wire in :57 3/5 for five furlongs over the firm turf course in the $55,000 allowance.

Ben’s Cat — bred, owned and trained by legendary
Mid-Atlantic horseman King Leatherbury — was making his first start since winning
the Fabulous Strike H. on November 29 and went off the 3-5 favorite.

Friday’s race came nine years to the day when the gelding was foaled.

“It was disappointing, naturally, anytime you
get a horse that wins all the time and doesn’t win. But, this is what happens in
all races. We know there’s no such thing as a sure thing,” Leatherbury said. “He
ran a good race, just not good enough. He met a horse that had everything his
way. He was the only speed in the race, and he’s a legitimate horse. He’s beaten
me before, and I’ve beaten him several times. He’s a nice horse, and he beat
us.”