Camelot Kitten makes first start since Breeders' Cup
The first full week of racing at Keeneland’s spring meeting begins with an eight-race card Wednesday, anchored by a $62,000 allowance for 3-year-olds on turf that has drawn a full field of 12 plus also-eligibles.
The most accomplished member of the main body of the field is Camelot Kitten, making his first start since finishing 12th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last October at Keeneland. He was a rallying debut winner at Belmont Park last September, then broke slowly and finished second, beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Airoforce, in the Grade 3 Bourbon Stakes here.
Camelot Kitten, trained by Chad Brown, drew post 6. Javier Castellano will be aboard for the first time.
Cite has shown dramatic improvement since being moved to turf two starts ago and comes in off a narrow maiden win at Gulfstream Park for trainer Bill Mott. Cite has drawn the rail under Jose Lezcano.
Tasit races on turf for the first time this year after running in a couple of tough spots on dirt. He has never been worse than third on turf. The Michael Matz-trained Tasit is drawn in the outside post with Florent Geroux in the irons.
The two also-eligibles are Riddler, who is coming off a maiden win, and Siding Spring, third in the Bourbon last fall.
Race 7
Key contenders
Camelot Kitten, by Kitten’s Joy
Last 3 Beyers: 60-76-72
◗ The Lexington weather forecast called for rain Monday and Tuesday, which could impact the turf condition. Camelot Kitten won his maiden on turf rated “good,” and the Bourbon was contested on yielding turf.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Camelot Kitten. Trainer Chad Brown is 12-5-1-0 with a $2.31 ROI over the past two years in turf routes at Keeneland following a layoff of 120 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Cite, by Blame
Last 3 Beyers: 82-81-57
◗ After finishing seventh in two of his first three starts, all on dirt, he improved by more than 20 Beyer Speed Figure points when switched to turf, with a win and a third on that surface.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Cite. Trainer Bill Mott is 83-22-10-10 with a $2.69 ROI over the past five years in turf routes with last-out maiden winners. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Tasit, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 77-68-67
◗ Has never finished worse than third on turf.
◗ His two dirt attempts were won by Kentucky Derby hopeful Shagaf and by Azar, both graded stakes winners.
Monster Bea, by Hat Trick
Last 3 Beyers: 67-73-68
◗ Another one who has been knocking heads with solid competition, having finished third to the classy Manhattan Dan in the Texas Glitter Stakes on the Gulfstream turf last out.