Catcha Rising Star all the way in West Virginia Senate President’s Cup

Maybe she’s not quite as ascendant as her name, but Catcha Rising Star definitely looks like an improving 4-year-old filly for trainer Graham Motion and owner-breeder Albert Frasetto.

Under Edgar Prado, she set a strong pace and held well to win the $100,000 West Virginia Senate President’s Cup by 1 1/4 lengths over the favored Susie Bee on Saturday at Mountaineer.

Catcha Rising Star, by Red Giant and out of Joan of Arc, by Roman Ruler, has made only four starts on grass, and all of them have been good. She was fourth last year in the Little Silver at Monmouth, a race won by the talented Isabella Sings, and was second this spring behind the high-quality Onus before winning an allowance race last out at Delaware Park.

On Saturday, Mizz Money went for the early lead, with Catcha Rising Star pressing her through a swift 22.98-second opening quarter. As the tempo moderated down the backstretch, Prado and Catcha Rising Star took over, and after turning away Mizz Money before the quarter pole, the winner never really was challenged through the homestretch.

She ran one mile and 70 yards on a firm turf course in 1:39.22 and paid $10.20 to win. Notte d’Oro finished third, a half-length behind Susie Bee as Mizz Money dropped back to fifth behind America Mon Amie.