I'm Already Sexy game for Cardinal Handicap regardless of surface

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It’s been an eventful year for I’m Already Sexy, so why not a little bit more action? The 4-year-old filly figures to be the focus of the most attention leading into the Grade 3 Cardinal Handicap on Saturday at Churchill Downs, regardless of whether the race stays on turf.

Cancellations have been the story of the week at Churchill, owing to unseasonably cold weather and a frozen track. Sixteen fillies and mares were entered in the $100,000 Cardinal, to be run at 1 1/8 miles, and as many as 14 can run.

Whether the race goes on turf or dirt, I’m Already Sexy is in, said Anna Seitz, who manages the Hit the Board Stables partnership which owns the Ready’s Image filly.

“We’ve always wanted to try her on the dirt anyway,” said Seitz, adding the owners intend to race her next year at 5. “She has quite a following now, and so many people enjoy watching her run.”

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With regular rider Florent Geroux committed at Fair Grounds, Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel has picked up the mount on I’m Already Sexy, a winner of seven races and more than $500,000 from 17 career starts, all for trainer Wayne Catalano. She will carry high weight of 119 pounds and breaks from post 1.

The opposition includes Bitty Kitty, a winner of her last four starts; Nellie Cashman, a sharp last-out winner in Maryland; and a couple of 5-year-old mares, Northern Passion and Royal Fury, who’ve had productive years in Canada.

Eleven races are on tap Saturday, when first post is 12:40 p.m. Eastern. The Cardinal goes as the ninth (4:36).

KEY CONTENDERS

I’m Already Sexy (Last 3 Beyers: 95-95-90)

◗ Always in the thick of the Grade 2 Goldikova on the Sunday after the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, she came out of the race well, said Seitz.

“The ship to and from California didn’t seem to bother her,” he said. “Wayne sent her to a hyperbaric chamber for a couple days, and she couldn’t wait to get back to the track.”

Bitty Kitty (Last 3 Beyers: 92-86-85)

◗ It’s been a breakthrough year for this filly and for her trainer, Brendan Walsh, whose career-high 18 wins include a romp by Cary Street on the Friday Breeders’ Cup undercard at Santa Anita.

◗ This daughter of Kitten’s Joy has been fortunate with some of her trips during her win streak and will need racing luck to make it through this bulky field.

Nellie Cashman (Last 3 Beyers: 86-91-87)

◗ Trainer Trey Abbott and jockey Forest Boyce are trying to earn shipping money as they leave Maryland for the winter for Florida and New Orleans, respectively.

◗ This Pennsylvania-bred 4-year-old is one of the classier fillies in the cast and shows a nice series of works.

Royal Fury (Last 3 Beyers: 89-92-83)

◗ Trainer Brian Lynch is enjoying his best year in wins and earnings, and steps up here with a versatile and tractable mare who’ll have to overcome a tough post.