Purr Sea one to beat in Pat Whitworth Illinois Debutante
In 2019, there were only 148 registered Illinois Thoroughbred foals, a tiny crop. So far, 2-year-old filly Purr Sea is among the best of them.
Purr Sea finished third in the Arlington-Washington Lassie in August but in her two races against Illinois-breds, a maiden at Arlington and the Showtime Deb on Nov. 6 at Hawthorne, Purr Sea posted open-length wins. She’s been an even-money favorite, or close to it, in her three races and looks like the heavy chalk Saturday at Hawthorne in the $50,000-added Pat Whitworth Illinois Debutante.
This race used to be contested around two turns but now is run over 6 1/2 furlongs, a distance Purr Sea can handle. By Midshipman out of Kitty’s Castle – whose first foal, Cat Attack, is stakes-placed – Purr Sea was bred and is owned by Steve and Diane Holland and trained by Michele Boyce. She has rateable speed and will have to deal with a quick filly, Showtime Deb runner-up Oeuvre, drawn to her outside.
Ghaaleb’s Ranger and Sassy Like Julia, respectively third and a distant fifth in the Showtime Deb, also return for Saturday’s contest, which drew three first-time starters to round out the field.