Saratoga: Kitten’s Dumplings uses late kick to win Lake George

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Kitten’s Dumplings took advantage of a strong early pace and her potent late kick to win Wednesday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Lake George Stakes at Saratoga.

It was the third straight stakes victory and fifth win from 10 career starts for Kitten’s Dumplings, a daughter of Kitten’s Joy owned and bred by Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trained by Mike Maker.

A filly who has excelled by making one late run, Kitten’s Dumplings, under Joel Rosario, was sixth of seven - about 14 lengths behind Midnight Watch, who opened up a clear advantage through fractions of 23.55 seconds for the quarter, 46.45 for the half, and 1:10.95 for six furlongs.

Entering the far turn, Kitten’s Dumplings advanced closer under her own power, and despite being spun five wide turning for home, she closed strongly under just a vigilant hand ride from Rosario. She defeated Watsdachances by a half-length. It was a neck back to Tapicat in third. She was followed in the order of finish by Midnight Watch, Fab Flowers, Blossom’s Trail, and Maximova.

“She has a really nice kick, but if you use her too much she kind of hangs a little bit,” said Rosario, who rode three winners on Wednesday’s card. “I always be careful and always try to time it [right].”

Kitten’s Dumplings covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.21 and returned $5 as the favorite.

Maker said he had no problem with Rosario having Kitten’s Dumplings so far back early.

“That’s the tactics that worked the last couple of times, and we weren’t going to change today.” Maker said “She got a little wide around the turn but finished strong as always.

Ramsey said that Kitten’s Dumplings would run back in the Grade 2, $200,000 Lake Placid Stakes here on Aug. 18. Ramsey won that race last year with Stephanie’s Kitten.

“I’ve got a picture of Lake Placid hanging on the wall,” Ramsey said. “I’d like to have twin pictures.”