Favored Ben's Cat notched his third stakes win of the season July 30 when he caught pacesetter Cardashi and prevailed by a neck in the $200,000 Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup Handicap July 30 at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course (VIDEO).
The 5-year-old son of Parker’s Storm Cat covered five furlongs on the firm turf in :56.48 under Jeremy Rose for his 11th win in 16 career starts. He is owned by the Jim Stable and trained by his breeder, King Leatherbury. It was the second lucrative turf sprint win this year for the Maryland-bred gelding, who tallied in the $100,000 Maryland Million Turf Sprint Handicap in May.
Ben’s Cat, out of the Thirty Eight Paces mare Twofox, has now earned $466,230. He needed the entire stretch to run down 17-1 Cardashi, who ran the opening quarter-mile in :22.14 and a half-mile in :44.81 under Angel Rodriguez. Ben's Cat was able to split horses deep in the lane to collar Cardashi, who won the race in 2009. Car Thief was also involved in the three-way photo, finishing just a neck behind Cardashi in third.
Ben’s Cat paid $4.80, $3.20, and $3. Cardashi returned $11.60 and $8, and filled out a $56.40 exacta (5-1). The trifecta (5-1-2) was worth $808.40.
The Pa. Governor's Cup is the richest stakes of the year at the Pennsylvania track.