Sharp Kitty must overcome outside post in Betsy Ross Stakes
Sharp Kitty couldn’t have had a better trip when she won the $75,000 Christmas Past at Gulfstream Park in her first start with winners June 11. With Matthew Rispoli aboard, she broke well from the inside post in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies and was in a good position early as she hugged the rail while sitting just off an honest pace. Approaching the half-mile pole, she burst through a gap along the rail, and after briefly dueling with Temple Fur, she drew away to a convincing win.
Her strong performance stamps her as the one to beat in the $75,000 Betsy Ross on Monday, but she isn’t going to get the same kind of trip. She drew post No. 11 in the 7 1/2-furlong dash on turf that drew 12 sophomore fillies, plus Double Entendre, who will start only if the race is moved to the main track. Post time for the first of 10 races on the holiday card is 1:15 p.m. Eastern.
Trained by Amy Tarrant, Sharp Kitty shouldn’t mind the cutback in distance. Prior to her sharp performance in the Christmas Past, she came from a stalking position to win a 7 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on grass May 15. She is trending in the right direction, and if Rispoli can work out a trip from her outside post, she should be right there.
Temple Fur, trained by Jessica Campitelli, looked good winning back-to-back races on turf before her runner-up finish in the Christmas Past, where she held on well after dueling through honest fractions. In both of her wins in optional $25,000 claiming races, going a mile April 22 and 7 1/2 furlongs on May 22, she came from stalking positions. With other speed in the field, she should get a similar trip with Gerardo Corrales retaining the mount.
Betsy Ross Stakes, Race 8
KEY CONTENDERS
Sharp Kitty, by Kitten’s Joy
Last 3 Beyers: 84-76-56
◗ She is lightly raced, improving, and has the right style for the likely shape of the race.
Temple Fur, by Temple City
Last 3 Beyers: 79-78-77
◗ Her hand may have been forced when she broke from an outside post in the Christmas Past, and with a better slot here, she could get a nice trip from a stalking position.
First Illusion, by Plan
Last 3 Beyers: 83-72-50
◗ Trained by Agustin Bezara, she improved dramatically in her last two starts and took them a long way when she finished fourth against older fillies and mares in the $75,000 Amelia Island on June 4.