Sam Houston: Cat's Cat returns to dirt

Cat's Cat won the last time she raced six furlongs on dirt - in 2002. She will get back to those conditions Saturday night in the $40,000 San Felipe at Sam Houston Race Park. The race for fillies and mares drew nine, including leading contenders Racing Sundown, Joyce Ann, So Sorry, and Questionable Past.

Cat's Cat, who won her maiden at six furlongs in 2002, spent most of last year on turf, but returned to dirt last out in the $75,000 Treasure Chest at Delta Downs on Dec. 4. She finished second by three-quarters of a length in the seven-furlong race, which was run around two turns, three-quarters of a length in front of Miss Confusion, who won a stakes in her next start at Delta.

Cat's Cat owns the highest last-race Beyer Speed Figure in the San Felipe, and from the outside post could get a nice stalking trip Saturday. Ted Gondron has the mount for trainer Michael Stidham, who will also send out Questionable Past as a separate betting interest. Cat's Cat races for Gerald Frankel, and Questionable Past, who is a stakes winner at Sam Houston, for Long Odds Racing Stable.

Racing Sundown is a threat to wire the field from the rail. She used front-running tactics to win the $40,000 Black Mesa for Oklahoma-breds two races back at Remington Park. She ran the opening half-mile of the race in 44.40 seconds before going on to win by a head in 1:10 for six furlongs. Quincy Hamilton has the mount for trainer Larry Brown.