Arlington: I'm Already Sexy stays sharp by taking Pucker Up

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – I’m Already Sexy made her first graded-stakes start in the Pucker Up on Saturday at Arlington. Suffice it to say she was well spotted. I’m Already Sexy, the even-money favorite, went straight to the lead under Florent Geroux and made short work of her seven rivals, scoring a 3 3/4-length victory over Every Way in the Grade 3, $175,000 Pucker Up.

I’m Already Sexy paid just $4.20 on the strength of a blowout victory here in a division of the Aug. 17 Hatoof Stakes, and Geroux said she was an even stronger filly in the Pucker Up.

“She was much better today; just the way she was traveling and the way she finished up,” said Geroux, who won the Pucker Up for the second time.

I’m Already Sexy broke from the fence and set splits of 23.51 seconds for her opening quarter-mile, 48.39 for the first half, and 1:12.80 for six furlongs. No one could stay with her during the early and middle parts of the race, and no one got close to her in the stretch, as I’m Already Sexy spurted clear and won comfortably. Every Way rallied for second, and My Option was third. I’m Already Sexy, a daughter of Ready’s Image and the Trempolino mare Klohho, bred by Equus Farm and owned by Hit The Board Stables, was timed in 1:48.12 for 1 1/8 miles on firm turf.

That winning time was less than one second slower than the course record, and I’m Already Sexy, winning for the fifth time in nine starts, has become a different mare since trainer Wayne Catalano fitted her with blinkers three races ago.

“It really made a difference,” Catalano said. “She was just wanting to do some silly stuff. She’s been working like a freak, training unbelievable. She’s just gotten good at the right time.”

Catalano will now try to keep her good through Oct. 12, when I’m Already Sexy is likely to make her next start in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland.