Camelot Kitten Crowned King In $100,000 Kentucky Cup Classic

FLORENCE, KY – Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s homebred Camelot Kitten made his first start over a synthetic surface a winning one and became a newly-crowned millionaire after taking Saturday’s $100,000 Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes at Turfway Park.

Breaking from post 9 under Rafael Hernandez, Camelot Kitten settled off the pace early while Chip Leader led slightly over Designed for War through :25.33, :49.24, and 1:13.04. Fanning into the five-path through the far turn, Camelot Kitten came under a long drive and engaged with Chip Leader for a stretch duel before inching clear in the final yards. The Mike Maker trainee hit the wire first by a 1/2-length in a final time of 1:49.76 for the 9-furlong event.

“We had a great trip, with only one speed horse outside of me. The rest of the speed was inside. Down the backstretch I had a clear path and just waited to make the right move,” Hernandez said. “I was very happy with my position throughout. He picked it up and finished well.”

Chip Leader took second, well clear of Fast and Accurate in third. The 6/5 favorite Royal Son couldn’t fire down the stretch after riding wide through the far turn and was only able to take fourth by a nose over Dac. Completing the order of finish came Colonel Samsen, Senior Investment, Catinati, Designed for War, and The Truth Or Else.

Camelot Kitten’s win was his first since October 8, 2016, when he took home the Grade 3 Hill Prince at Belmont Park. The 5-year-old son of the Ramseys’ stallion Kitten’s Joy improved his record to 17-6-3-0 with career earnings of $1,046,865.

“The Kitten’s Joys like the Polytrack and I liked the timing of this race. As far as what’s next, everything is on the table,” said Maker.

Camelot Kitten returned $12.80 to win, $6.60 to place, and $4.40 to show. Chip Leader brought back $5.60 to place and $4.60 to show, while Fast and Accurate paid $6.20 to show.

Be sure to check the Results page for details on every thoroughbred and quarter horse race in North America, including how our PREMIUM PICKS performed!