Brown Super Saturday runners return well, Breeders’ Cup
likely for many
Trainer Chad Brown sent out a fleet of runners on Super
Saturday at Belmont Park, and emerged with some strong Breeders’ Cup contenders.
Brown’s day was capped by Stephanie’s Kitten’s victory in
the Grade 1 Flower Bowl, which the Kitten’s Joy mare won with ease.
According to Brown, the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf has always been the
objective for the mare’s five-year-old campaign, and her victory in the 1
1/4-mile Flower Bowl has the trainer brimming with confidence.
“She came out of the race in great shape so far. As long as
she’s sound and doing well (the Filly & Mare Turf) is the plan,” Brown
stated.
“Her last three races have been terrific; I certainly wouldn’t trade horses with
anyone. I was really happy she adapted to the slow pace because I wasn’t sure
how she’d react laying that close.”
Brown also saddled fourth-place finisher Watsdachances and
seventh-place finisher Alterite in the Flower Bowl, who came back well,
according to the trainer.
Two races later, in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, Brown’s entry of Big Blue
Kitten and Real Solution finished fourth and sixth, respectively. A slow pace
hindered the chances of Big Blue Kitten, while Real Solution failed to deliver
his best effort, according to the trainer.
“I’d like to go (to the Breeders’ Cup Turf with Big Blue
Kitten),” Brown noted. “I would have liked to have seen a stronger pace, and he
had a little trouble turning for home, but not terrible. I was a little
disappointed he didn’t kick that last eighth and catch up to the top three, but
all in all he wasn’t beaten too far. If he’s sound and well, I would like to
take a shot with him out at Santa Anita and hope for a stronger pace.
“Real Solution just didn’t have it (in the Joe Hirsch),”
he added. “It was likely his last race, but I have to confirm that with Mr.
(Ken) Ramsey. He’s scheduled to enter stud at (the
Ramsey’s) farm.”
Brown also sent out two horses in the featured Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, with the New York-bred Zivo giving the trainer his
best finish. Zivo lagged behind a lively pace, was forced to steady near the
three-eighths pole after Wicked Strong unseated Rajiv Maragh, but still mounted
a strong rally in the stretch to finish second.
“Zivo came back great. He ran terrific,” Brown praised. “In my
eyes, it was another career best race for him. He had some trouble, as did a
handful of other horses when (Maragh) went down, but regained his composure and
restarted his race at that point. He was second best yesterday, but a good
second.”
The patiently handled Zivo, who progressed through his New
York-bred conditions methodically, may get a crack at the Breeders’ Cup Classic,
according to Brown.
“I’d like to take a shot in the Classic, but I have to talk
to Mr. (Tom) Coleman,” the trainer admitted. “He’s doing so well right now, and it’s
one of the best races in the world. Why not?”
Brown’s other entrant, Last Gunfighter, finished seventh before being
elevated to sixth, and
the trainer is unsure what will be next for the First Samurai five-year-old.
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