Celtic Kate shows new dimension taking Geisha

Trainer Chris Grove had the impression that Celtic Katie could only win if she raced on the lead. But when Celtic Katie rated and finished second in last month’s Conniver Stakes at Laurel Park, Grove changed his mind about the 5-year-old mare.

Using the same tactics on Saturday at Pimlico, Celtic Katie rallied along a big hole that was left open on the rail under Javier Santiago and drew off to an easy victory by 5 1/4 lengths in the $75,000 Geisha Stakes for Maryland-bred fillies and mares.

“She rated last time going seven-eighths and I was happy with how she ran,” said Grove, who now has won the Geisha five times. “Javier made the winning move on the turn. He had won two races on her before. He just came back from Puerto Rico and we were anxious to get him back on the filly.”

In winning for the fourth time in 21 lifetime starts, Celtic Katie ($12), a daughter of Posse owned by Lewis Family Racing Stable, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:46.67.

“The trainer told me to try to follow the leader and try to keep her back a bit but not to fight her,” Santiago said. “That can be hard. It depends on the horse. If the horse helps you it’s okay. Today, she just waited until I asked and when I asked she went well. I saw an opening between the turn and the quarter pole. I decided to stay on the inside and she just ran up the rail. It went just the way we hoped it would.”

Brenda’s Way, who opened up a 4 1/2-length lead through a half-mile in 47.31 seconds, held on for second, two lengths ahead of Steady N Love, teh 6-5 favorite.