This Cat's Awesome seeks fifth straight win in Luke Kruytbosch Stakes

PHOENIX – This Cat’s Awesome continues his climb up the class ladder Wednesday, when the gelded son of Awesome Gambler tests the stakes ranks in quest of his fifth straight win in the $35,000 Luke Kruytbosch at Turf Paradise. The 1 1/16-mile event for 3-year-olds drew a field of seven.

Owned by Michael Wood and trained by J.J. Kruljac, This Cat’s Awesome was campaigned in Southern California the first 11 races of his career with some success. He shipped here Nov. 10, proved an easy winner over $3,500 non-winners-of-two-lifetime claimers, and was claimed by Frank Lucarelli. The gelding’s love affair with this track has continued. He next beat $3,500 non-winners-of-three-lifetime foes here Dec. 1 and was claimed by Kruljac. From there, he easily beat $4,000 claiming foes here Dec. 10. Those three wins came sprinting. He tried a route against $10,000 claiming foes here Dec. 17, and it was more of the same, as he won easily. Wilson Dieguez rides.

The horse to beat may be Twelve Tribes. Owned by Charles Garvey and trained by Robertino Diodoro, who has been dominating the stakes action here of late, Twelve Tribes also comes here hot, having won three straight, including the Jack Coady Sr. Stakes here Nov. 8. However, those three wins, and his only other victory, all came on turf. He moves to dirt here. Geovanni Franco rides.

KEY CONTENDERS

This Cat’s Awesome (Last 3 Beyers: 79-78-69)

◗ He has utilized speed for this four-race win streak as he’s been prominent from the start, but two of those wins came with pace-pressing trips, so he’s not a need-the-lead type.

◗ Kruljac continues his strong meet, winning with 5 of his first 14 starts, with 4 others finishing second.

◗ He was routing for the first time when he won going a mile here Dec. 17, but the way he drew off indicated he can handle the added half-furlong here.

Twelve Tribes (Last 3 Beyers: 75-86-63)

◗ He moves to dirt and has just one second-place finish from three prior dirt starts.

◗ He worked a solid five furlongs in 1:00.40 here Dec. 22 on this main track to indicate he can handle it.

◗ He has versatility, as he was second at the first margin call and on the lead at the second call in a dirt sprint at Canterbury Park in June and has done well from just off the pace and well off the pace.

Edison (Last 3 Beyers: 67-57-76)

◗ He may appreciate returning to dirt. He’s won on turf, but his best work has come on this footing, including taking the Grade 3 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park on Aug. 16.

◗ He has ample tactical speed to press the pace if need be, or can take back and finish.

◗ He is a son of champion 3-year-old male and top sire Bernardini and cost $950,000 at auction in March 2013, so there were expectations here.