Ben’s Cat, Bold Thunder get rematch in Jim McKay Turf Sprint
BALTIMORE – The announcement of King Leatherbury being elected to the Racing Hall of Fame last month already has been celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Maryland racing community.
But now that it’s Preakness weekend and the eyes of the racing world are focused on Maryland, what better way for Leatherbury to be fully recognized than for the legendary 82-year-old breeder-owner-trainer to win a stakes with the best horse he’s ever had?
Ben’s Cat, already a three-time winner of the Jim McKay Turf Sprint, will be trying for a fourth victory in the $100,000 race when opposing nine other older horses on the Preakness eve card Friday at Pimlico. An earner of more than $2.3 million, the 9-year-old gelding will break from post 3 as the 2-1 morning-line favorite. Julian Pimentel has the mount.
“He has been an absolutely remarkable horse,” said Leatherbury. “We’re very much looking forward to it. It’s a big day with national interest, so it’s extra special. We’re going to go over there and hopefully knock it off.”
Post time for the McKay, named for the legendary sportscaster who died in June 2008, is 3:52 p.m. Eastern. It’s carded as the ninth of 14 races.
Key contenders
Ben’s Cat (Last 3 Beyers: 83-104-93)
* The consummate professional racehorse, this stretch-running Leatherbury homebred has won 28 of 46 starts, including 23 stakes, and clearly knows where the wire is.
* He finished second at 3-5 to Bold Thunder in his seasonal debut here April 17.
“It was a situation where you had one lone speed in the race, and we had to go after him,” said Leatherbury. “We had to make our early run, which is not his style, and he just wasn’t as sharp as he’s been for whatever reason. I expect him to be right on Friday.”
Bold Thunder (Last 3 Beyers: 92-85-92)
* He held an open lead throughout the April 17 prep in defeating Ben’s Cat, but on paper, there appears to be more speed in here to accompany him through the early stages, so we’ll see if he can fend off those others (Golden Emperor and two off-the-bench horses, Xmas Sky and Dreamsgonewild) before dealing with Ben’s Cat.
Amelia’s Wild Ride (Last 3 Beyers: 64-98-97)
* This tactically versatile 4-year-old had a productive winter in Florida while specializing in just this type of race, and if you’re willing to dismiss his subpar performance last out over a squishy Keeneland course, he’s eligible to rebound with a much better effort when stalking the pace from a favorable outside post.