Delta Downs: Ramona’s Wildcat puts unbeaten streak on line in Azalea

Ramona’s Wildcat will be going for some notable new connections at Delta Downs on Friday night, when she attempts to remain undefeated in three starts in the $100,000 Azalea. The race will be her first for Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Doug O’Neill after she was purchased privately by the partnership of W C Racing – one of the owners of Goldencents – and Steven Keh and Strait Pine Farm.

Ramona’s Wildcat will be making her two-turn debut in the Azalea, a 7 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies bred in Louisiana. It will also be her first start against statebreds after she launched her career in New Mexico. Ramona’s Wildcat won her debut by 8 1/2 lengths in a maiden special weight race at Sunland Park on Dec. 8. One start later she captured the track’s $50,080 El Paso Times by 9 1/2 lengths on Jan. 25.

O’Neill is hopeful she will handle the added distance demands on Friday.

“From what I know of her, she’s got the size, stride, and mind that the two turns is only going to help us,” O’Neill said. “You never know until you try it, but I think she’s got all the tools.

“We’re very excited about her.”

Ramona’s Wildcat was a $125,000 purchase last April at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. spring 2-year-olds in training sale. Trainer David Wolochuk purchased the daughter of Wildcat Heir and raced her in partnership in New Mexico. O’Neill said the filly had been on his barn’s radar since last spring.

“My brother, Dennis, liked her a lot when he saw her at the 2-year-olds in training sale; didn’t have anyone to buy her at that time,” O’Neill said. “After two wins, we heard she was for sale and we were pumped.”

Ramona’s Wildcat is now based in Southern California. She flew into Houston on Monday, then made the two-hour van ride to Delta. It’s the same trip Goldencents made in 2012, when he won the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot for a partnership led by W C Racing. Goldencents last year won the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Diego Saenz will ride Ramona’s Wildcat.

The Azalea will go with a field of 10 horses, including Closing Report, winner of the $125,000 Premier Night Starlet at Delta in her most recent start on Feb. 1. Trainer Bret Calhoun has given the mount to Rosie Napravnik.

Other stakes winners in the field include Lexi’s Love and Lady Grantham.