Catalano expects more from I'm Already Sexy in Mint Julep

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Five horses officially beat I’m Already Sexy when she ran sixth in the Grade 2 Distaff Turf Mile at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day. But to those that watched her run it was apparent she truly beat herself.

Fresh for her first start of 2014, I’m Already Sexy set a quick half-mile in 46.98 seconds, and continued at a rapid pace to cover three-quarters in 1:10.48. Having gone so quickly, despite jockey Florent Geroux trying to coax her into slowing down, she became fatigued, fading to finish 5 1/4 lengths behind victorious Coffee Clique.

I’m Already Sexy is entered Saturday against stakes winners Hot Tempo, Miz Ida, and Embarr in the Grade 3, $100,000 Mint Julep Saturday at Churchill Downs, and trainer Wayne Catalano is looking for a more-settled race from his filly.

He has been pleased with how she has trained since the Distaff Turf Mile, including a couple works at Churchill Downs. And though he considered her for some other races, Catalano said he felt the Mint Julep was the best option.

“She had that race over the track, and this way she doesn’t have to ship,” Catalano said.

Winner of a division of the Hatoof Stakes and the Grade 3 Pucker Up last year at 3 at Arlington Park for Hit the Board Stables, I’m Already Sexy will be ridden Saturday by Miguel Mena, who rode her to a couple wins early in her career.

The Mint Julep is a far easier race than the Distaff Turf Mile, lacking that race’s top five finishers, with only I’m Already Sexy and seventh-place Miz Ida returning from it.

Miz Ida will be making her second start of the year, a pattern trainer Steve Margolis used successfully with her in 2013 before she won this race. Last year, she prepped in an allowance, finishing second with an 81 Beyer Speed Figure, before leaping up to earn a 96 Beyer in winning the Mint Julep.

Late-running Miz Ida, a Proud Citizen homebred who races for Richard and Bert Klein, seems well suited by the probable pace of the Mint Julep, which drew a couple other speed horses in addition to I’m Already Sexy.

Corey Lanerie picks up the mount on Miz Ida, replacing regular jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, who is in New York riding Command Curve in the Belmont Stakes.