Cat's At Home Rallies for Westchester Win

Cat's At Home, at almost 14-1, came from off the pace to win Saturday's 73rd running of the $108,200 Westchester Handicap for horses three and older at Aqueduct. Cat's At Home, ridden by Filiberto Leon, finished strongly to reach the wire 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Little Hans. It was another 1 1/4 lengths to Milwaukee Brew. Postponed, Say Florida Sandy, and Country Only completed the order of finish.

The win was the first in four starts this year for Cat's At Home, who earned $64,920 for Edward P. Evans. He stopped the timer after running the mile in 1:33.60 on a fast track. A 4-year-old son of Tabasco Cat, Cat's At Home won for the sixth time in 15 starts.

"He's a little immature still, and he is hesitant when he races inside," said Ellie Diamond, assistant to trainer Mark Hennig. "So, the outside post (7) was a good draw for him. I think he enjoys the one-turn mile. He had more kick today. Last time, he ran a mile and a quarter and he was done at the three-eighths pole. Of course, today the competition was a little bit easier."

Cat's At Home returned $29.20, 12.20, and $6.40. Little Hans paid $8.80 and $4.90 and Milwaukee Brew was $3.20. The winning exacta combination returned $141.50.

Juan Serey, trainer of Westchester favorite Say Florida Sandy, said, "He likes to run from the gate, and he needs the rider to keep after him. He doesn't like it when the jockey takes hold of him. He's going in the Bold Ruler (Grade 3, April 14)."

In the co-feature, Dat You Miz Blue scored a front-running 7 1/4 length victory as the odds-on favorite in the 22nd running of the $81,125 Broadway Handicap for fillies and mares three and older.

"She's been doing good so far this year," said winning trainer Jimmy Jerkens. "She's stayed sound. She had a stifle that was bugging her last year and we had to stop on her. That seems to be the only thing that helps. The stifle has been fine so far. I'm going to take it one race at a time with her. We'll see how she comes out of this one, and start looking for a spot. I would think about stretching her out, especially since she hasn't had a knockdown, tough race yet this year. Winning this way keeps her confidence up and keeps her sound."

Dat You Miz Blue carried Aaron Gryder seven furlongs in 1:21.06 on the fast track to earn $48,675 for Cynthia Knight with her sixth win in thirteen career starts. Dat You Miz Blue returned $2.70. (Charts, Equibase)