Kauai Katie the one to beat in the Grade 2 Matron Stakes
Stonestreet Stables’ 2-year-old filly Kauai Katie has managed to stay undefeated in two career starts, and will be under the cosh, when she puts her winning streak on the line and turns up for the Grade 2, $200,000 Matron Stakes at Belmont Park on 30 September, 2012.
It will be a big step toward the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies for the Todd Pletcher trained filly, who is expected to do well in the Grade 2 Matron Stakes, which will be run over a distance of 6 furlongs, a race which is restricted for 2-year-old juvenile fillies.
Kentucky bred daughter of Malibu Moon has been installed as the 2 to 5 favourite in a field of six on the back of 2 consecutive victories at Saratoga.
Out of More Than Ready mare More Than Pretty, Kauai Katie broke her maiden going five and one-half furlongs at Saratoga on 20 July, 2012, and downed, Kansas by a staggering margin of 12 lengths in second, with the winning time of 1 minute and 3.66 seconds.
Jockey Rosey Napravnik retained the ride on Kauai Katie and together the duo was successful in the Grade 2 Adirondack Stakes. The filly was stretched out in distance to six and one-half furlongs, and went to win the race by 2 ¾ lengths.
Purchased for $49,000 by Stonestreet Stables this year at the Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale, Todd Pletcher compared Kauai Katie with another Stonestreet Stable purchase from the same sale this year, Dreaming of Julia, who is pointed toward the one mile long Grade 1 Frizette Stakes at Belmont Park on 6 October, 2012.
"As Stonestreet also has Dreaming of Julia, who seems to be adept at longer distances, obviously you try to separate the two. This seems like a logical spot for Kauai Katie."
Pletcher will be sending out Cheyenne Stables and McNeill Stables' maiden winner, Unabashed in the Matron, after her 4 ½ length victory.
"Unabashed actually surprised us a little bit," Pletcher remarked. "Not so much that she won, but I didn't anticipate that she would be away a beat slow, find herself behind horses, and would handle herself as professionally as she did. She took it all in stride and it was a very professional effort."
Tags: