Mystic Lake Derby winner Sniper Kitten targets Secretariat

Sniper Kitten will be aimed at the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes at Arlington after hitting the mark in his stakes debut Saturday night at Canterbury Park.

Off a first-level allowance-race win at Keeneland in April, Sniper Kitten rallied from midpack under Tyler Gaffalione to win the $200,000 Mystic Lake Derby by one length. Sniper Kitten ran a mile on firm turf in 1:34.66, a raw time that produced a Beyer Speed Figure of 87, 10 points higher than Sniper Kitten’s previous career best. And Mike Maker, who trains homebred Sniper Kitten for owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey, thinks the Kitten’s Joy colt can improve at a longer distance such as the Secretariat’s 1 1/4 miles.

“He’s always had talent. From the start, we were high on him,” Maker said. “It took him a while to catch on. He ran spotty in his races, but did everything professional Saturday.”

Maker also teamed with Gaffalione to win the $100,000 Lady Canterbury with I’m Betty G, who got a 90 Beyer. Plans aren’t set for I’m Betty G, but the $100,000 Indiana General Assembly on July 14 at Indiana Grand is “definitely on the radar,” Maker said.

The July 14 multi-stakes card at Indiana Grand is likely to attract My Bariley, who won the $100,000 Mystic Lake Mile by a half-length over Hay Dakota, winner of the 2017 Mystic Lake Mile. My Bariley, who got a career-best 91 Beyer, will be pointed to the $100,000 Warrior Veterans with an eye on the Arlington Million farther down the road.

“He’s nominated to the Million, and that’s the owner’s dream, but we’ll take it one race at a time,” trainer Tony Granitz said.