by Nick Hahn
Nick’s Notes: Baby Cat Derby
It was no secret that 2004 Virginia Derby winner, Kitten’s Joy was going to become a talented turf horse after turning away favorite Artie Schiller at the sixteenth pole. Nine-years after Edgar Prado delivered the win for trainer Dale Romans and owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey, his presence couldn’t be much larger in this Saturday’s Virginia Derby. As the sire of three headed to the Virginia Derby starting gate — Charming Kitten, Fear the Kitten and Redwood Kitten — the Ramseys’ stallion could be making a greater impact at Colonial as a sire than he did on the turf, and that’s saying something. For the record, Shakespeare and War Front sire two here as well: Gefest and Readyshakego by Shakespeare and Jack Milton and War Dancer by War Front.
Saturday evening, not only does KJ have a stakes race named after him, but he also sires He’s Got Talent in the Chenery, Amen Kitten in the Kitten’s Joy and Always a Kitten in the Virginia Oaks.
Joining Stephanie Nixon’s Boltin’ Out with three hard earned Colonial wins this summer is Coturnix, a 5-year old gelding trained by Daniel Smithwick and owned by Eva Smithwick. Leading rider Horacio Karamanos patiently positioned his Morgan’s Ford Farm-bred until heading around the last of the 3-turns of the mile and a half test and won by daylight on a dark evening. Racing on Wednesday night was cancelled after the 5th race.
Nick’s Picks
| RACE 1 | ||
| 6 | CHERRY ROAD | DIRT ALERT: Nobody wants to go to the lead here on the CNL dirt? First one into the turn may win. |
| 5 | FALL COLORS | |
| 8 | STABLEMATE | |
| RACE 2 | ||
| 8 | R.B FLOAT | Testerman’s horse runs well at Colonial, this summer and last. Hound sired by ’97 Va Derby ace. |
| 6 | STANDING O | |
| 1 | HOUND | |
| RACE 3 | ||
| 11 | LASTOFTHEBEARFEET | Day looks for his gelding returning to form on the firm. Cole & Keiser teamed up well in last 2 also. |
| 3 | OUT PLAYING | |
| 8 | TEMPLEWOOD | |
| RACE 4 | ||
| 1 | PAUPER’S QUEEN | Asian Invasion looks to become the 3rd 3-time winner at CNL this summer. Won’t be easy. |
| 4 | SUMMER COURT | |
| 5 | ASIAN INVASION | |
| RACE 5 | ||
| 3 | RATTLE A WHILE | Off a win, you can get Sheldon & Allen at 10-1 (ML) in this 14-horse field. No time to take chalk. |
| 5 | CLONMEEN LASS | |
| 14 | SECRET SIGNAL | |
| RACE 6 | ||
| 7 | FANCY ATTITUDE | Has any trainer had a better July at CNL than Tara Terrace? I’m sure she would like a few extra weeks. |
| 3 | SEVEN DAYS | |
| 4 | A LOVER’S QUESTION | |
| RACE 7 | ||
| 12 | SUMMER WIND CHIME | Look at the breeding and name of Trombetta’s first timer. Grrreat. But time for Paramo’s win of the meet. |
| 10 | DRINK ON THIS | |
| 7 | CHICKWALKSINTOABAR | |
| RACE 8 | ||
| 5 | R. BEE ESS | Think these guys don’t know each other? Some starters here at better at CNL than others. |
| 2 | HESAGOLDMINE | |
| 4 | HOLD ON SMOKEY | |
| RACE 9 | ||
| 6 | ARION SILVER | Welcome back trainer Michael Pino to Colonial, a leading trainer here for several years. |
| 1 | MARRIAGE FEVER | |
| 4 | LAST HURRAH | |
