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Ben's Cat takes next step toward BC with Maryland Million win

Ben's Cat (orange silks) successfully defended his title in the Maryland Million Turf Sprint (Stuart Haman/Maryland Jockey Club) The Jim Stable's Ben's Cat launched his patented late burst to win the $100,000 Maryland Million Turf Sprint at Laurel Park for the second straight year on Saturday. Jeremy Rose was aboard the son of Parker's Storm Cat, who was bred by his owner-trainer, legendary Maryland conditioner King Leatherbury. Ben's Cat won by a length over Steady Warrior, who fought the winner all the way to the finish line. Longshot Heaven's Voice was another 10 lengths farther back in third. Front running Disco Dandy finished last. "I got afraid that we might get upset but Jeremy Rose wasn't worried," said Leatherbury, who ranks third on the all-time win list with 6,326 career victories. "He said he knew he had the horse but the other horse was very reluctant to get beat. We knew the four (Disco Dandy) was going to go to the front but we left it to Jeremy to use his own judgment on that." Ben's Cat, who stopped the clock in 1:06 for 5 1/2 furlongs on the good turf, paid $3 as the 1-2 betting favorite. He was winning for the 13 time in 18 starts, the seventh time on turf and taking down his eighth stakes victory. He has now banked $733,230 lifetime. "It was a pretty easy race," Rose said. "We broke sharp today. At the last race we had a spat in the gate and I was concerned about today, but this time he broke better than usual and I thought that I had it won every step of the race."

The five-year-old gelding captured the Grade 3 Turf Monster Handicap at Parx Racing on Labor Day, which earned an automatic berth into the Grade 2 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint worth $1 million at Churchill Downs on November 5. as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" series. However Ben's Cat is not Breeders' Cup nominated, so Leatherbury is looking for an investor to flip the bill on the $100,000 supplemental fee.

"We will start to get more serious on it now and see what we can do," Leatherbury added.

"He is one of the best three horses that I have ever ridden," said Rose, who piloted Afleet Alex to victory in the 2005 Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. "He certainly deserves a shot at the Breeders' Cup."

Ben's Cat had to recover from a broken pelvis before he made his maiden debut at age four, then began his career with eight consecutive victories, which included a 4 1/2 length score in the 2010 Maryland Million Turf Sprint. Only six runners lined up in Saturday's edition to face Ben's Cat, who carried 123 pounds, nine to 12 more than his rivals.

"I thought we would be a little closer today as he's been sharp in training," Leatherbury admitted. "He used his same running style turning for home. I thought we had it but then the six horse (Steady Warrior) came back at him again. We were giving away 10 pounds. He never wins big. I am very pleased right now."

Leatherbury is now tied atop the Maryland Million standings with nine victories, the same as Dale Capuano. Rose has 13 Maryland Million scores, fourth on the all-time list, trailing only Ramon Dominguez (17), Mario Pino (16) and Hall of Famer Edgar Prado (16).

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