Kitten’s Queen ships in seeking first stakes win in Miss America

In a field that includes a half-dozen runners who love the Lakeside Turf Course, an eastern invader could be the one to beat in Saturday’s $50,000-added Miss America at Golden Gate Fields.

The 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares includes Luscious Lonna, a two-time stakes winner over the course who has hit the board in eight of 10 local turf starts, and the improved Loveintheshadows, who has five wins and has hit the board in 12 of 14 starts on the Golden Gate turf.

But a filly who accompanied Breeders’ Cup-bound stablemates west could be the one to watch.

Kitten’s Queen, a 4-year-old Kitten’s Joy filly bred and owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trained by Mike Maker, came west even though the Breeders’ Cup was not on her radar. But trainers know how to read condition books, and the Miss America is an attractive chance for her to earn black type.

She’s hit the board in all four starts this year, including her 2014 debut at Churchill Downs and a trio of races at Saratoga, one of which was a win in an $85,000 allowance race.

Kitten’s Queen also will be running against Bound for Eden, who has won two straight starts over the course after running second in her only other start on the Golden Gate turf. Central Heat has four wins over the course. The graded stakes-placed Morning Fix has a win and a third in her two starts over the course.

KEY CONTENDERS

Kitten’s Queen (Last 3 Beyers: 81-84-82)

◗ Her past three Beyer Speed Figures are the three highest of her career. She’s a full sister to the multiple graded stakes-winning Csaba, who is winless on turf despite an excellent turf sire. She’s an older full sister to High Heel Kitten, who has won twice on turf and earned $119,420 on the surface. She should get a great stalking trip.

Bound for Eden (Last 3 Beyers: 78-77-61)

◗ She’s won 3 of 4 starts this year, including a pair of allowance victories in her past two starts here. She did little in her lone stakes start last year, but she’s much better this year. She’s been beating easier company, but she does like to win and is coming off the two best Beyers of her career.

Luscious Lonna (Last 3 Beyers: 74-77-78)

◗ This speedy mare has scored gate-to-wire victories in the past two editions of the Golden Poppy at this distance. She ran poorly in this race last year when returning from six months on the sidelines. She had a prep over the course five weeks ago and has had three works since. Her Golden Poppy victories have come after similar layoffs.