I’m Already Sexy edges Kenzadargent in Eatontown

I’m Already Sexy gave jockey Paco Lopez his fifth win on the card (David Owens/Equi-Photo) Hit the Board Stables’ I’m Already Sexy (Ready’s Image), who was just denied in the June 6 Mint Julep H. (G3) at Churchill Downs, came out on top in another tight finish in Saturday’s $107,000 Eatontown (G3) at Monmouth. The 7-1 chance outdueled rail-skimming 8-5 favorite Kenzadargent (Kendargent), handing red-hot jockey Paco Lopez his fifth winner on the card. Usually a pace factor, I’m Already Sexy was eased back into a stalking role and settled kindly in fourth on the outside. Up front, Speed Seeker (Heatseeker) was pressed by Old Harbor (Raffie’s Majesty) through splits of :23 3/5 and :47 3/5 on the firm turf. Kenzadargent, carving out a ground-saving trip throughout, crept forward toward the inside approaching the far turn. I’m Already Sexy was likewise advancing at the same time, ranging up just a half-length off the leaders at the six-furlong mark in 1:11. Although covering more ground than the favorite, I’m Already Sexy had uninterrupted momentum while sweeping past longtime leader Speed Seeker at the top of the stretch. Kenzadargent then got her wished-for opening to the inside of the pacesetter and burst through to join I’m Already Sexy. After a brief tussle, I’m Already Sexy prevailed by a half-length and completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:41 1/5. The Wayne Catalano mare paid $16.80 to her backers.

“She is a really nice mare,” Catalano said. “Paco put her in a great position
early on and she had a perfect trip. She likes to sit just off the pace and with
age, she has learned to settle. She always seems to know where the wire is and
just continues to battle.”

Stellar Path (Astronomer Royal), who loomed briefly, wound up a further 1 1/4
lengths adrift in third. Recepta (Speightstown) rallied for fourth, while Speed
Seeker faded to fifth in the nine-horse field.

With this third graded score on her resume, and fifth black-type success
overall, I’m Already Sexy improved her record to 23-9-2-0, $633,700. The dark
bay captured the Pucker Up (G3) and Hatoof during her sophomore campaign in
2013. Last year, she added the Modesty H. (G3) back at Arlington as well as the
Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf. This marked her second win of 2015, following a
hard-fought verdict in the non-black-type Cooper City at Gulfstream February 14.
I’m Already Sexy nearly wired the aforementioned Mint Julep, only to be collared
late and finish second for the second straight year.

I’m Already Sexy was bred in the Bluegrass by Equus Farm and sold for $20,000
as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October. Out of the Trempolino mare
Klohho, the five-year-old hails from the immediate family of Grade 3 winner
Flashy American (Flashy Bull).

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