Owned by Fab Oak Stable, Bobby Hurley and John Goldthorpe, Stream Cat had not raced since finishing second in the Fayette Stakes (gr. III) last October. The 5-year-old gelded son of Black Minnaloushe had not won since scoring in allowance company in April of 2007. He was fourth in last year’s Arlington Million (gr. IT), but his last graded stakes victory was more than two years ago in the Crown Royal American Turf Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs.
Ridden by James Graham, Stream Cat saved ground most of the way and was last in a field of four older horses after three-quarters, but never more than two lengths off the pace. Cosmonaut was unchallenged on the lead under Rene Douglas and took a two-length advantage into the stretch. Corrupt and Tiger Woodman were in contention for more than a mile. The fractions were modest – :24.34, :49.84 and 1:15.31.
After waiting patiently for room, Stream Cat was able to split horses at the top of the stretch and raced right by the pacesetter nearing the sixteenth-pole. The final time for 1 1/4 miles on the soft turf was 2:04.83. Cosmonaut finished second, three-quarters of a length in front of Corrupt. Tiger Woodman was fourth.
“Class horses get ready easy and make you look good,” said trainer Rusty Arnold. “It was easy because he’s a good horse. I’ve only had him a month and a half. We were a little worried about the pace, but James kept him right in the race and everything worked out good.”
Bred in Kentucky by Matthews Breeding and Racing, Stream Cat is out of the Irish River mare Water Course. He is now 6-1-3 from 16 starts and has earned $608,810. The Arlington Handicap was his third career graded stakes win.
Going off as the 5-2 second choice, Stream Cat paid $7 and $2.60. There was no show betting. The exacta (1-5) paid $12.80.
Cosmonaut was attempting to become the first three-time winner of the event.
“Only one thing I have to say – no excuses,” said Douglas. “The other horse just ran by me. (My horse) was doing it easily early, but the other horse was better today.”
Distorted Reality and Yate's Black Cat were scratched.
(Chart, Equibase)