Stephanie’s Kitten tops New York on Belmont Eve

Probable New York favorite Stephanie’s Kitten was a course-and-distance winner of the Flower Bowl in September (David Alcosser/Adam Coglianese Photography) Multiple Grade 1 winner Stephanie’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy), who returned a sharp winner of the March 7 Hillsborough (G3) in her season debut, continues her march toward a possible year-end championship Friday at Belmont Park when she heads a field of nine fillies and mares in the $300,000 New York (G2). The New York is run over 1 1/4 miles on the inner turf, the same course and distance Stephanie’s Kitten won the Flower Bowl (G1) by 1 1/4 lengths over last September. It was her only stakes win of the 2014 season, but the mare proved second best in three other Grade 1 events, including the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). Stephanie’s Kitten had little trouble in the nine-furlong Hillsborough at Tampa Bay Downs, rallying to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Ball Dancing (Exchange Rate), subsequent winner of the Jenny Wiley (G1) at Keeneland.

The New York also features several participants from the May 2 Sheepshead Bay
(G2) at Belmont, contested over 1 3/8 miles. Maximova (Danehill Dancer) did the
best of those returning for the New York, crashing the exacta at 11-1. It was
the best finish turned in by the five-year-old in graded stakes company.

Selenite (Cosmonaut), third at 39-1, and Riposte (Dansili), fourth in her
Sheepshead Bay title defense, are also back. The latter won the 2014 New York as
the 6-5 favorite, but will be no better than second choice here if Stephanie’s
Kitten starts.

The field also includes Orchid (G3) winner Beauty Parlor (Elusive Quality),
fifth in the Sheepshead Bay; Irish import Waltzing Matilda (Danehill Dancer);
and stakes winners White Rose (Tapit), Kitten’s Queen (Kitten’s Joy), and
Eastern Belle (Champs Elysses).

The exciting sprint prospect Rock Fall (Speightstown) makes his stakes debut
in the $250,000
True North
(G2) over six furlongs. After dropping his debut at Gulfstream in April
2014, the Todd Pletcher-trained colt has ripped through his maiden and allowance
conditions, generally winning by wide margins. His latest outing was a
nine-length tour de force at Keeneland April 18. Pletcher will also saddle
stakes debuter Eastwood (Speightstown), who won a Keeneland allowance April 24
in his first start since August.

Dads Caps will seek to follow up his second Carter win with a score in the True North (Chelsea Durand/Adam Coglianese Photography) The more established stars in the True North lineup include Dads Caps (Discreet Cat), who took the April 4 Carter H. (G1) at Aqueduct for the second year in a row, and multiple Grade 3 winner Clearly Now (Horse Greeley). Recent Diablo hero Stallwalkin’ Dude (City Place) and Grade 3 victor Favorite Tale (Tale of the Cat) are other contenders. Red Rifle (Giant’s Causeway) is best known for his dirt success in races like the Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2), but he’s proven over the Belmont turf and figures to be a leading contender in the $250,000 Belmont Gold Cup at two miles. Winner of the 12-furlong Yankee Affair at Belmont and a close second in the Sycamore (G3) at Keeneland prior to his Hawthorne success last fall, the Todd Pletcher charge enters off a close second in the Excelsior (G3) at Aqueduct.

Other notables include Red Smith H. (G3) winner and Elkhorn (G2) runner-up
Dynamic Sky (Sky Mesa); 2014 Elkhorn winner Unitarian (Pulpit), who was third by
a neck in his April 18 title defense; Laurel Turf Cup and Sunshine Millions Turf
winner Manchurian High (The Daddy); Reflecting (Elusive Quality), third in last
year’s Belmont Gold Cup; and Innovation Economy (Dynaformer), a comfortable
allowance winner at Keeneland and Aqueduct in his last two starts for Chad
Brown.

Uncle Vinny (Uncle Mo), from the first crop of his 2010 juvenile champion
sire, is the one to beat in the $250,000
Tremont,
a 5 1/2-furlong dash for two-year-olds. The Pletcher trainee won on debut by 4
1/2 lengths going five furlongs at Belmont May 21.

Cat Tree (Discreet Cat), a maiden winner at Churchill in his second start,
and Keeneland debut winners Banree (Macho Uno) and Cocked and Loaded (Colonel
John) are other major threats. Gulfstream graduate Moment Is Right (Medaglia
d’Oro) and Santa Anita maiden runner-up Swipe (Birdstone) might also attract
play.

The stakes action kicks off Friday with the $150,000
Jersey
Girl, a six-furlong sprint for three-year-old fillies. Among the favorites
are Santa Paula winner Enchanting Lady (Tale of the Cat), Cicada winner Noble
and a Beauty (Noble Causeway), and last year’s Adirondack (G2) heroine Cavorting
(Bernardini).

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com