The Breeders’ Cup Mile next up for Courageous Cat, but could make a stop at Del Mar to run in the Del Mar Mile Turf
Trained by William Mott for owners Martin Wygod and Pam Wygod, Courageous Cat might come back to California to target another major stakes win, as she did earlier in the summer meet when she won the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Hollywood Park on 2 July, 2011.
The $200,000 Del Mar Mile on turf looks to be a probability for five-year-old horse according to his connections. The race is scheduled to be underway on 27 August and, could prove to be the 5 year olds first start after his Grade 1 win in the Shoemaker
this month.
William Mott is eyeing the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile for the son of Storm Cat and, the strong consideration for the Del Mar Mile turf could be a prep race for Courageous Cat going in to the big Breeders’ Cup Mile on 5 November, 2011.
Courageous Cat has had 2 starts this year, and he has been able to place in two emphatic victories out of as many starts. The opener for Courageous Cat this year was the Grade 3 Poker Stakes at Belmont Park on its turf course.
On 10 June, 2011 Courageous Cat under jockey J Lezcano took on the Belmont field over at a distance of a mile. The pair handled the pressure well by breaking extremely well from the gates.
Courageous Cat, switched to the middle and, split two horses to lead the pack. Right One and Yield Bogey finished second and third, while Courageous Cat marked his season starter with an impressive victory, with the winning time of 1 minute and 36.69 seconds.
Courageous Cat was highly favoured for his next start in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile in California at the Del Mar turf course on 2 July, 2011. The $300,000 event was also the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event.
The favoures five-year-old gamely held off the brilliant Caracortado in the early part of the race, with Victor’s Cry a constant threat on the outside, Courageous Cat went on to win the $300,000 Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile by a neck over Caracortado.
The win earned the son of Storm Cat a spot in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile.
At the moment, Courageous Cat is with trainer William Mott and, off training, but that would soon change if the plans to participate in the Del Mar Mile turf get finalized.
Courageous Cat has gone on to win 6 races out of her 13 career starts, with twice finishing second and the same number of times finish third. The Grade 1 winner has shot up his bank roll to $961,300.
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