Laurel Park
Ben's Cat cranking up for return
Barbara D. Livingston Ben's Cat has won the last three runnings of the Jim McKay Turf Sprint.
Ben’s Cat turned in his fifth work in three weeks Thursday at Laurel Park and is nearing the first start of his 10-year-old campaign.
A winner of 30 of 53 starts and just less than $2.5 million, Ben’s Cat is being pointed to the $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint on May 20 at Pimlico. He is likely to start once before that race.
Ben’s Cat has won the McKay four of the last five years, including the last three runnings. Hall of Fame trainer King Leatherbury is pleased with Ben’s Cat’s progress.
“He’s following the same format that he’s done the last six, seven years,” Leatherbury said. “We’re very satisfied. He indicates that he’s still willing. No negative impressions are we getting from him at all.”