Emotional Kitten looks to snap losing streak in Wintergreen

Emotional Kitten hasn’t won in more than a year, but that eight-race losing streak could come to a screeching halt after the 6-year-old mare goes postward as the likely favorite Saturday night in the $50,000 Wintergreen Stakes at Turfway Park in northern Kentucky.

Bred and owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Emotional Kitten has traveled far and wide for much of her career and fared respectably against the likes of Filimbi, Watsdachances, and I’m Already Sexy.

There are no such names signed up to oppose her in the 34th Wintergreen, a one-mile Polytrack race that drew an oversubscribed field of fillies and mares. Albin Jimenez, the leading rider at the holiday meet that ended Thursday night at Turfway, has the call on Emotional Kitten for trainer Wesley Ward.

The top threats to Emotional Kitten figure to include Julie’s Jewelry, Serene Melody, and Compelling Case.

First post Saturday is 6:15 p.m. Eastern, with the Wintergreen set for 7:42 as the fourth of nine races. The daytime high temperature was forecast to reach only 38, so freezing conditions will prevail at night.

The Wintergreen, the first of eight stakes to be run at a winter-spring meet that began Friday, is named for the 1909 Kentucky Derby winner, the lone Ohio-bred to win the roses. This is the only filly-and-mare stakes this winter at Turfway.

The Ramseys won the Wintergreen last January with Awesome Flower, trained by Mike Maker.

Key contenders

Emotional Kitten (Last 3 Beyers: 76-88-92)

* This Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Kitten’s Joy has raced at nine different racetracks in her last 11 starts and would appear to hold a decided class edge over the others, given a $559,111 bankroll that easily tops the field.

Julie’s Jewelry (Last 3 Beyers: 43-88-86)

* Forgive her dreadful last start in the slop at Delta Downs, and suddenly this mare matches up well with the others for trainer Ben Colebrook, who also has entered Sea Shadow in here.

Serene Melody (Last 3 Beyers: 76-81-85)

* All three of her victories have come over the synthetic, and she has faced some tough customers on other surfaces in recent months, making her a nice fit for this spot.

Belle Natalie (Last 3 Beyers: 76-67-79)

* She’s one of two on an also-eligible list, but if she can draw into the field, she could be a threat after dominating a Dec. 13 race in what essentially was the local prep for this.