Fat Kat too quick for rivals in Power By Far
Fat Kat, winless in three previous tries on turf, including a ninth-place finish as the 2-1 favorite in this same stakes last year, displayed outstanding speed in a front-running victory in the Power By Far, the first of two $100,000 stakes for Pennsyvlania-breds on Saturday's program at Parx Racing.
Outbreaking the field of six fillies and mares in the five-furlong turf sprint, the 5-year-old Fat Kat ($9.20) set fractions of 22.65 and 45.76 seconds en route to a 2 3/4-length victory, giving jockey Edwin Rivera his third win on the card.
Trained by Butch Reid, Fat Kat, a daughter of Weigelia owned by LC Racing and Squire Thoroughbreds, is now 7 for 21 with earnings of $321,516.
The other five horses finished in a tight photo for the remaining places. Royal Renege nosed out Persnickity for second. It was a neck back to Haunted Vision in fourth. She was a nose in front of Previous Honor, who in turn was a nose ahead of Devilish Love, the 6-5 favorite.
Disco Chick, the 5-2 morning-line favorite, was among three early scratches.
In the Crowd Pleaser for 3-year-olds, Saratoga Jack, making his turf debut, remained unbeaten in two starts against Pennsylvania-breds with an easy, 5 3/4-length front-running victory
Saratoga Jack ($8.40), a son of Emperor Tiberius owned by Jean Mahoney, was returning to his home track following a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 Pegasus at Monmouth Park last month. He won his career debut at Penn National in January in his only other race against statebreds.
Ridden by Jose Flores, Saratoga Jack set fractions of 46.95 seconds and 1:11.37 en route to completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.47.
Trained by Miguel Vera, Saratoga Jack is now 3 for 7 with earnings of $154,830.
Wynchmere, coming off a dominant victory in a first-level allowance at Penn National, finished second as the 9-5 favorite by a head over. Smarty Mr D.
A rider’s objection against Smarty Mr D for an incident on the far turn involving fifth-place finisher Balk was disallowed.