Hollywood Park: Cat's Cradle breakthrough spot for Warren's Veneda

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – As her campaign unfolded, Warren’s Veneda compiled her own personal list of bad trips. Her past performance comments included off slow, bobbled, steadied, and pulled.

Luck was not on her side, until her most recent start.

“Last time was the first time she had a legitimately trouble-free trip,” trainer Craig Lewis said. “She broke good, everything went good.”

Warren’s Veneda trounced second-level allowance foes by more than seven lengths, winning for the fourth time in nine starts. Sunday at Betfair Hollywood Park, she aims for her first stakes victory in the $100,000 Cat’s Cradle Handicap.

The 7 1/2-furlong sprint for California-bred fillies and mares attracted only five starters, including Curvy Cat, Ciao Bella Luna, Qiaona and Sister Kate. All four are stakes winners; Warren’s Veneda can join the club with slight improvement.

“We’re hoping there is a next step up,” Lewis said. “She definitely does not have to carry her track around with her.”

Warren’s Veneda has won short and long. She has won on dirt, turf, and synthetic. And last out, she finally ran fast – 93 Beyer Speed Figure. If there is a knock on Warren’s Veneda, it is the distance of the Sunday stakes.

“Actually, seven and a half could be a little short for her,” Lewis said. “I just think the further she runs, the better she’ll be. She’ll run from Maine to Spain.”

Ben Warren bred and owns Warren’s Veneda, a 3-year-old filly by Affirmative named after his late wife, Veneda. Joe Talamo rides Warren’s Veneda, who drew the rail with only four rivals.

“I guess that’s good for us,” Lewis said. “We won’t have as many to go around.”

Ciao Bella Luna drops from graded stakes for new trainer Peter Miller. A Grade 2 winner in spring, Ciao Bella Luna finished second in the Railbird Stakes in May and fourth in the Grade 2 Hollywood Oaks in June in her most recent starts at Hollywood. Ciao Bella Luna could be closer to the lead Sunday while adding blinkers. Corey Nakatani rides.

Qiaona is the richest horse in the Cat’s Cradle field. She has won four races and $440,244 from 16 starts, all for trainer Ed Moger. Gary Stevens rides the two-time stakes winner.

Jerry Hollendorfer will start Curvy Cat and Sister Kate. Curvy Cat won the $125,000 B. Thoughtful Stakes in April at Hollywood at the same 7 1/2-furlong distance as the Cat’s Cradle. Freshened for two months, she returns with a series of bullet works at Golden Gate. She will be ridden by leading jockey Rafael Bejarano.

Sister Kate is expected to produce speed under Martin Pedroza.

The Cat’s Cradle is race 3 on a nine-race card.