Ben's Cat

[WarBiscuit]

Back to work for Ben's Cat.

www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/article ... nd-million


WarBiscuit

[Prairie Bayou]

Ben's Cat switching to dirt for Maryland Million Sprint
http://www.drf.com/news/bens-cat-switch ... ion-sprint

He has had to choose a different race for the past few years. They discontinued the turf sprint. Guess he was winning it too much. Last year he finished second in the sprint on dirt. Since he has won on the surface he should be okay. Prefers turf but there isn't really any choice here. They are hoping for rain. He likes the mud. Though personally, since I'm shooting the races that day I would prefer the sun. LOLOLOLOL

[Starine]

Maryland Million Sprint: Is tank near empty for 10-year-old Ben's Cat?
http://www.drf.com/news/maryland-millio ... d-bens-cat

[WarBiscuit]

Maryland Million Sprint: Is tank near empty for 10-year-old Ben's Cat?
http://www.drf.com/news/maryland-millio ... d-bens-cat

Hurts like hell to say it, but I think it might be time for Ben's Cat to enjoy a long and happy retirement. Just doesn't have that old characteristic late kick
anymore. Recent talk from Mr. Leatherbury has sounded like alot depended on todays race - with regard to moving forward with him. I'll be interested
to see what happens from here...

WarBiscuit

[BaroqueAgain1]

From the DRF article:
Ben's Cat, the 2-1 second choice ridden by jockey Trevor McCarthy and trained by King Leatherbury, lacked the needed response when asked and flattened out to finish last in the six-horse field.
"What can I say? He didn’t run a lick," Leatherbury said."He broke good and McCarthy wanted to get him back a little bit and relaxed and then make a big run, which he couldn’t do. I don’t know what’s next. We’ll take a look and evaluate it later. It's disappointing."
Read more: http://www.drf.com/news/nicaradalic-roc ... ishes-last

Unless King feels that he hated the dirt surface and would feel more like his old self back on grass, I wouldn't be surprised if a retirement ceremony was coming soon for The Cat.

[luvsgeldings]

yeah this old guy might be saying he is done now - he deserves a happy healthy retirement - really hope to hear they are retiring him now - he has done more than enough.

[serenassong]

I got chocked up watching him. You could tell his heart was willing, but his body just wasnt getting there. He's done plenty IMO.

[Prairie Bayou]

No more races this year. He may be done. King says he's not sure. He may race in the srping. He's never finished that bad in a race and I think he's done enough. But he's not my horse.

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/le ... k.facebook

[WarBiscuit]

No more races this year. He may be done. King says he's not sure. He may race in the srping. He's never finished that bad in a race and I think he's done enough. But he's not my horse.

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/le ... k.facebook

Thanks Prairie Bayou, for posting the article. After reading it, I'm guessing that we will see an 11yo Ben's Cat at the races next year, and if he does poorly, King
will finally call it a day. Just my take. Whatever call he makes, I hope it's the right one. That boy needs a rest.

WarBiscuit

[Somnambulist]

I'm really not one to ever go this route but just retire him. How much more do they really want.