Daring Kathy remains undefeated on turf with Starfish Bay win

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Daring Kathy will look for new worlds to conquer this summer at Saratoga after remaining undefeated on turf with a popular and decisive 5 1/2-length victory over Miss Emelina in Sunday’s $75,000 Starfish Bay Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Daring Kathy, who won the Honey Ryder Stakes in similarly easy fashion five weeks earlier, led throughout under jockey Abdiel Jaen in the 1 1/16-mile Starfish Bay before drawing away with complete authority through the stretch. The victory was the fourth in five career starts for the homebred daughter of Wildcat Heir, who is owned in partnership by John Eaton and Steve Leymon.

Daring Kathy completed the distance in 1:42.58 over a firm course and paid $2.60.

“Early on, John had mentioned turf to me, and I said, ‘You know what, let’s start her on the dirt,’ ” said trainer David Fawkes.

Daring Kathy won her debut over the main track against statebreds by 4 1/4 lengths here in January. She suffered her only setback four weeks later, also on dirt, when finishing a tiring seventh in Calder’s Pica Slew stakes.

“After those two races, there was nothing,” Fawkes said, referring to dirt races for Daring Kathy. “So I ran her on the grass. We always thought because of the breeding, she would be okay on the turf since she’s out of a Kingmambo mare. It’s always been in the cards. She ran huge the first time, and obviously, she really likes it.”

Fawkes didn’t hesitate when asked what he was thinking about next for Daring Kathy.

“Saratoga,” said Fawkes. “We’ll look to keep her on the turf, but she’s proven she’ll run either way, and that’s always a good option to have when you’re up there.”