Gulfstream: Candy Kitty alters course to get job done in Ginger Brew

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Candy Kitty showed she was as courageous as she is versatile when she overcame some adversity at midstretch to register a one- length victory over Miss Besilu in Sunday’s $100,000 Ginger Brew Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Candy Kitty skipped over a sloppy track to an easy 3 1/2-length triumph in the Wait a While Stakes in her 2-year-old finale but was back on the grass for her 3-year-old bow in the 1 1/16-mile Ginger Brew. Reserved within easy striking distance while saving ground under jockey Edgar Prado, Candy Kitty had to take up and alter course when unable to find room inside the leaders near midstretch, but was able to re-assert herself once in the clear to win going away.

Miss Besilu, a $2.6 million daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, raced forwardly placed while wide throughout and continued on gamely to finish second, a half-length before the tiring Stonetastic.

Candy Kitty, by Lemon Drop Kid and Worthy Cat, is trained by Todd Pletcher for Starlight Racing. She paid $8.40 as the tepid favorite in a wide-open field of 11 3-year-old fillies.

“The first option was to try to sneak through on the inside but that kind of closed down,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “Fortunately, she was agile enough to pop back outside and still win. She’s a nice little filly who just keeps getting better and better and learning how to run. She’s got a nice turn of foot and it’s nice to have one as versatile as she is. She’s probably one who’ll handle all three surfaces, so it gives us a lot of options.”