01/01/2013 4:45PM

Gulfstream Park: Kauai Katie dominates Old Hat Stakes

By Mike Welsch
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Barbara D. Livingston
Kauai Katie wins the Grade 3 Old Hat Stakes by eight lengths on Tuesday at Gulfstream Park.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Kauai Katie left little doubt who was boss in the first graded stakes of 2013 at Gulfstream Park after drawing off to a convincing eight-length triumph over Cor Cor and three other overmatched rivals in the $100,000 Old Hat Stakes.

With John Velazquez aboard for the first time, Kauai Katie stalked the early pace of the speedy Cor Cor, gradually eased away from that rival once settling into the stretch, and then steadily increased her advantage while less than all out to the wire. Cor Cor outlasted Power Lady by nearly seven lengths to finish second.

The Grade 3 Old Hat was the fourth win in five starts for Kauai Katie, a daughter of Malibu Moon, who romped to similar easy victories at 2 in the Grade 2 Adirondack and Matron stakes. Kauai Katie, who is owned by Stonestreet Stables and trained by Todd Pletcher, ran six furlongs in 1:09.66 and paid $2.20.

“She was impressive,” Pletcher said immediately after the race. “I was concerned about the 3 filly [Cor Cor], it looked like she had a lot of speed and from the one post it makes it a little more difficult tactically, but it worked out well. The other filly cleared, we were able to make a move, get on the outside, and stalk.”

Pletcher said he believes Kauai Katie will be at her best sprinting after having suffered her only loss going 1 1/16 miles in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

“I think she’ll be at her best going a little shorter than we tried in the Breeders’ Cup,” Pletcher said. “Honestly, I don’t really think she handled the track there that day because as fast as she is, she was never really pulling herself along.”

Pletcher said the seven-furlong, Grade 2 Forward Gal on Jan. 26 would be next for Kauai Katie.

Barry Mitchell 12 months ago
Next not make Cor Cor out to be something special. She is an allowance horse. Kauai Katie will face tougher sprinter that are waiting.
redboy 12 months ago
WOW!!!! Very impressive,against CorCor who was no joke coming out the gate! Good Luck with in the Forward gal ,T.P.
MoneyMarcus 12 months ago
The horse by Hennig was the most impressive winner of the day. Kentucky Oaks winner.
George Zilberman 12 months ago
Excellent race for Kauai Katie and her connections. I thought she ran well in the Breeder's cup and I believe she will be stretched out and be just fine. Todd, just keep her running on the East Coast. Fleetphoto
Chris Butler 12 months ago
Team Valor had two three year old horses entered today at Gulfstream Park, Cerro in the 7th race and Tuttipaesi in the 8th race, both were noted as FIRST TIME LASIX! Barry "The Hypocrite" Irwin!!!! Why would any Team Valor horse EVER be first time Lasix????? Hey Barry, what happened to no race day medication?????? I thought it was going to be just Hay Oats and Water for Team Valor horses who were never on Lasix??? I am told you even had the nerve to name one of your horses Hay Oats and Water...what a JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Say it aint so Barry!!!!!!!!!!!!!
radnor87 12 months ago
He has called for a ban on All race day medication. So lasix isn't a medication ? Or is it only a medication when you want it to be. Personally, I'm for lasix, but don't like hypocrisy.
akhiym james 12 months ago
I don't know if he's called for a ban on raceday medication but I know he's a supporter of no lasix for two year olds. He was part of the group of owners who were racing their two year olds without lasix. Those horses your talking about aren't two year olds so those horses get lasix if they need it.
jttf 12 months ago
why would anyone not race with a 2 and half length advantage with the performance enhancing lasix. just use your common sense.
Big Jeff 12 months ago
$2.20...Pony special.
Mark Scheider 12 months ago
That was too easy. Sit off the pace and pass with no horses to interrupt the momentum. I like the horse but certainly wont be judging her talent based off this one.
Albert 12 months ago
No, you shouldn't judge her talent on how easy she won....judge it based on how fast she ran....would have beaten Merit Man by 5 lengths....THAT'S talent.