Facing males for the first time proved no problem for Catch a Glimpse, as Canada's 2015 Horse of the Year waltzed to an easy victory in the $500,000 Penn Mile Stakes (gr. IIIT) June 4 on the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course turf. Video: Penn Mile S. (G3T)
After leading throughout, Catch a Glimpse put the race on ice in early stretch where she quickly opened a big advantage coming off the far turn under some urging from jockey Florent Geroux. Stablemate Airoforce never threatened for the win, but the grade II winner closed well to finish 2 1/4 lengths back in second, completing the exacta for trainer Mark Casse.
From early in the race Catch a Glimpse looked a likely choice to secure her seventh straight win and sixth straight graded stakes score as the City Zip filly raced within herself while enjoying a clear lead at every point of call. She cruised through a half-mile in :47.96 and six furlongs in 1:11.39 before opening a three-length advantage in midstretch. Not asked for much late, Catch a Glimpse completed the mile turf race for 3-year-olds in 1:34.39 on firm turf.
The performance earned the comment, "never in doubt," on the official race chart.
Undefeated on turf, Catch a Glimpse returned $5.20, $3.20, and $2.40 and Airoforce, who carried five more pounds than the winner, paid $4.80 and $3.80. Giant Run finished third and paid $4.80 to show. With the win, Catch a Glimpse becomes racing's newest million-dollar earner at $1,213,052 in career earnings.
Out of stakes winner Halo River, by Irish River, Catch a Glimpse is a half sister to grade III winner Old Forester, by Forestry.
Other graded stakes wins this season for Catch a Glimpse include the Herecomesthebride (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park, the Appalachian Presented by Japan Racing Association (gr. IIIT) at Keeneland, and the Edgewood (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs. Last year she won the Natalma (CAN-IIT) at Woodbine and closed out the season with a win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT) at Keeneland.
The evening card opened with the $200,000 Penn Oaks where Peter Leidel and George Bolton's Sweet Victory secured a second straight stakes win and third straight win overall when the Blame filly drew clear in the stretch to register a 1 1/2-length win over 7-5 favorited Pricedtoperfection. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Sweet Victory was guided to victory by Javier Castellano. Video: Penn Oaks
Involuntary was disqualified from third to last of five after ducking in near the eighth pole under Trevor McCarthy, causing Conquest Serenade to clip heels and fall, throwing her rider Florent Geroux. Conquest Serenade appeared to be in good condition as she quickly got back up and was walked off the course by Geroux.
Geroux came back to win the third and fourth races, guiding S'maverlous to a win in the Mountainview Handicap Video: Mountainview H.
