Stephanie's Kitten pointing to Keeneland's Ashland Stakes for return

Barbara D. Livingston

Stephanie’s Kitten will make her first start since the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf in the Ashland Stakes.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Wayne Catalano toyed with the idea of supplementing Breeders’ Cup winner Stephanie’s Kitten to Sunday’s $150,000 Herecomesthebridestakes, but in the end, he opted to work her over the local turf course instead and will await a more lucrative spot for her 3-year-old debut. Catalano said Stephanie’s Kitten would likely begin her campaign in the Grade 1, $500,000 Ashland at Keeneland on April 7.

Stephanie’s Kitten, a homebred daughter of Kitten’s Joy owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, has not started since winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She has been working steadily and at times spectacularly over the local course, where she breezed an easy six furlongs in 1:17 and change Sunday.

“I thought for a minute about running her in the stakes on Sunday and then I thought again,” Catalano said. “I just felt she wasn’t quite ready. I was just letting her get some air on Sunday. We’ll be leaving here for Keeneland in a few days. I’ll work her on the Polytrack next week at Keeneland.”

Stephanie’s Kitten’s first major goal this season is the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Ascot on June 22.