Kimchi Cat triumphs in off-turf Bolton Landing
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - It didn’t seem to matter on which surface Sunday’s $150,000 Bolton Landing Stakes was going to be run, trainer Tom Amoss stood a good chance to win the 5 1/2-furlong race at Saratoga.
When morning rains prompted New York Racing Association officials to switch the Bolton Landing from turf to dirt, Amoss scratched Lady Orient and went with Kimchi Cat, who was entered to run only on the main track.
Tracking a solid pace established by Viggiedal - who had defeated Kimchi Cat when they debuted at Churchill in June - Kimchi Cat, under Tyler Gaffalione, sped past above the eighth pole and drew clear to a decisive 3 1/2-length victory in the Bolton Landing. Icona Mama, a debut winner at Presque Isle Downs in July, rallied to get second by 1 1/2 lengths over Viggiedal, the 6-5 favorite. Me Governor, Fortuna Mia, Obliging and Abientot completed the order of finish.
Kimchi Cat was beaten five lengths by Viggiedal at Churchill but came back here on July 14 with a front-running, 3 1/2-length maiden victory at this same 5 1/2 furlongs.
“Losing that battle [with Viggiedal] helped us today because we were able to rate kindly today, we’re not one dimensional,” Amoss said. “We knew that going in and I think that helped in a field that looked like it had a lot of speed and someone had a chance to really punch at the end. I’m really proud of my filly, she did a great job of that.”
Gaffalione, who was aboard for Kimchi Cat’s front-running maiden win here last month, credited jockey Edgard Morales, who was aboard Kimchi Cat when she raced behind horses in her debut in June.
“A lot of the credit goes to Edgard Morales who rode her in her first start, he gave her a great schooling that day, sat in behind horses,” Gaffalione said. “She put it all together today. Last time, she was just much the best, she broke alertly, I didn’t get in her way. Today, Tom said there’s quite a bit of speed so just let her get underneath herself. She was carrying me all the way around and when I pushed the button she really responded.”
Kimchi Cat, a daughter of Twirling Candy owned by Joel Politi, covered the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.06 and returned $8 as the second choice.
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