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With a victory by Granny Mc's Kitten in the $100,000 P.G. Johnson Stakes Aug. 28, owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey set a modern-day record for single-meet victories at Saratoga Race Course (VIDEO).
With five full days of racing remaining, Ramsey-owned horses have visited the winner's circle 19 times during Saratoga's historic 150th anniversary meet. The previous record for victories by an owner, as can be ascertained through available records, was 18, set by Zayat Stables in 2007.
"It's pretty special," said Kenneth Ramsey. "We own the mare (Granny Fanny) and the stallion (Kitten's Joy ) and it's named after my sister, and it breaks the all-time record up here at Saratoga. I couldn't have planned it any better."
The Ramseys, who were the leading owners at Saratoga in 2008 and 2009, headed into Wednesday's card nine victories ahead of Darley Stables, Klaravich, and Drawing Away Stable, all tied for second with nine.
In the P.G. Johnson, for 2-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on turf, Granny Mc's Kitten ($5.70) came between two horses to post a 1 3/4-length victory under jockey Javier Castellano. It was the first win in two starts for the bay filly.
"We ended up getting the top jock and the best post (1); all she had to do was do it, and she did," said Ramsey. "We're going to take her down and run her in the Miss Grillo Stakes (gr. IIIT, Oct. 6 at Belmont Park). That's a 'Win and You're In' race, and then it's on to the Breeders' Cup."
The Ramseys have had an outstanding year across the country. They were the leading owners at the Churchill Downs spring meet with a record 32 victories and at the Keeneland spring meet with 25 winners, also a record. They were the leading owners at Gulfstream Park this past winter as well with 43 winners.
On Aug. 17, Ramsey homebred horses won three grade I races: The Sword Dancer Invitational at Saratoga with Big Blue Kitten, the Arlington Million with Real Solution, and the Secretariat with Admiral Kitten, both at Arlington Park.
The Ramseys, who own Ramsey Farm in Nicholasville, Ky. and also live in Sunny Isle, Fla., were voted the Eclipse Award as Outstanding Owner in 2004, when their Kitten's Joy was voted the year's Top Turf Male, and 2011.
