Ramseys' Kittens sweep Retama stakes

Owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker have some fresh Breeders' Cup ammunition in Kera's Kitten and Lisa's Kitten after the 2-year-olds gave their connections a sweep of a pair of $100,000 turf stakes Saturday night at Retama Park.

Earlier this week, Maker said a convincing performance would put either horse under consideration for the Breeders' Cup. Both delivered, with Kera's Kitten romping home by five lengths in the $100,000 El Joven and Lisa's Kitten overcoming trouble for a length win in the $100,000 La Senorita.

"We are going to California," said Ken Ramsey.

Kera's Kitten ($4.40), a candidate for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, broke with the field in the El Joven and moved up to challenge longshot Dynaism for the lead. The pair dueled through an opening half-mile in 49.60 seconds over a turf course rated soft. Kera's Kitten shook his pace rival on the final turn of the one-mile race, then opened up on the field through the lane to cover the distance in 1:39.67.

"He was very comfortable on the lead and finished very nicely," said Julien Leparoux, who rode Kera's Kitten. "He's a nice horse."

Leparoux was also aboard Lisa's Kitten ($4.40), who had one horse beat through the opening half-mile of the La Senorita. She then hit traffic trouble before going on to cover the one-mile on soft turf in 1:39.91.

Lisa's Kitten is a candidate for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She came into the La Senorita off a maiden special weight win at Belmont Park. Kera's Kitten came into his race off a debut maiden win at Kentucky Downs. Both horses are by champion turf horse Kitten's Joy and were bred by the Ramseys.