Carrera Cat gets the money in stakes debut

SARATOGA SPRINGS >> A half-length shy of being unbeaten in her last five starts, Carrera Cat could have been considered the hot horse going into Thursday’s $100,000 Union Avenue Stakes for statebred fillies and mares. Those races, however, included a maiden special and four allowances; in the Union Avenue, the 4-year-old daughter of Courageous Cat would be making her first stakes appearance.

Sent off at 5-1, Carrera Cat’s chances didn’t improve when she stumbled exiting the gate. Rajiv Maragh managed to hustle her up into good position, though, a length and half off pacesetting Baby Boss as the field swung into the far turn. Carrera Cat got by that one nearing the quarter-pole and took a short lead into the stretch.

Challengers loomed on both sides. Baby Boss was hanging tough on the inside, while Fair Regis and 8-5 favorite Holiday Disguise were threatening on the outside. For a few strides it looked like Carrera Cat might be overhauled, but a burst of energy at the eighth pole gave her more breathing room, and from there it was more or less clear sailing to the wire. The official margin was 2¼ lengths, with Holiday Disguise outgaming Jc’s Shooting Star by a neck for second.

“It’s very nice to win, especially here,” said winning trainer John Morrison. “We targeted this race since May, so it’s very pleasing. I think stumbling might have helped us a little bit because she has a lot of speed, and I wasn’t sure if there was anybody in here that could stay with her. I thought she’d be better sitting off somebody. It worked out just fine.”

The running time for 6½ furlongs over a fast main track was 1:14.93. Fair Regis finished fourth and was followed across the line by Bonita Bianca and Baby Boss. Pauseforthecause and Flat Calm were scratched.

“Today was the perfect day [to try to come from off the pace] because she drew outside of the other speed,” said Maragh, who has been aboard Carrera Cat for her last 11 starts. “She loved it. She targeted the horse in front, and into the turn she jumped into the bridle, and I felt like I had a ton of horse. She just continued on into the stretch.”

Carrera Cat, who competes for Very Un Stable and Stone Bridge Farm, improved to 5-3-2 in 13 starts, with lifetime earnings of $274,856. Carrera Cat was bred in New York by W. S. Farish. .