News Smokem Kitten Shows the Way in G3 Miami Mile; Cali Thirty Seven Romps in $100,000 Powder Break April 30, 2016 News Smokem Kitten Shows the Way in G3 Miami Mile; Cali Thirty Seven Romps in $100,000 Powder Break April 30, 2016 By: Jared Welch twitterfacebooklinkedinemail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Fresh off a course-record performance last time out, Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Smokem Kitten captured his first stakes victory Saturday at Gulfstream Park while showing the way to seven rivals throughout the $100,000 Miami Mile (G3). The 4-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy, who set a 7 ½-furlong turf course record to defeat optional claiming allowance runners by 5 ½ lengths March 20, showed no ill effects from such a brilliant performance while moving back into stakes company Saturday. The Mike Maker-trained Kentucky-bred colt held on to register his third triumph in five career starts (all over Gulfstream’s turf course), scoring by a head over late-running Middleburg. Smokem Kitten, who ran 7 ½ furlongs in 1:26.78 in his previous start, set fractions of 23.89 (seconds), 46.75, 1:09.83 for six furlongs on his way to a 1:33.01 clocking for the mile over a firm turf course. “I’m very impressed,” Maker’s Gulfstream Park assistant Evelio Chavez said. “After he broke the track record last time, I asked Mike, ‘What’s next for him?’ He said, ‘I’ll have to think about it, but probably the Miami Mile. Let’s get him ready for that one.’” And ready the 9-5 favorite was for Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado’s return to the flashy gray colt’s saddle. “He was acting very sharp in the post parade. When he broke so sharp and got the lead so easy, I didn’t want to fight him,” Prado said. “He was moving along so good every step of the way. At the top of the stretch, he found another gear.” Prado had ridden Smokem Kitten twice previously, guiding him to a 5 ½-length debut victory Dec. 6, 2014, before finishing sixth in the Dania Beach (G3) a month later. “I rode him twice before. I rode him when he broke his maiden. I was impressed with that race. The second time, I think there was something wrong with him,” Prado said. “Now, I think he is 100 percent.” Smokem Kitten returned from a 13-month layoff Feb. 14, fading to seventh after making a sharp middle move under Javier Castellano, setting up his track-record performance under John Velazquez last time out. “Mike took the blinkers off, and that’s made all the difference. He’s much more relaxed,” Chavez said. Middleburg, the 2-1 second choice who made a strong three-wide stretch drive under Joe Bravo, finished a neck ahead of Hothersal and jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Cali Thirty Seven Romps in $100,000 Powder Break Crash Management and D J Stable’s Cali Thirty Seven ($7.20) opened a clear early lead under Joe Bravo and continued on to register a 1 ¼-length triumph in the co-featured $100,000 Powder Break at Gulfstream. The Joe Orseno-trained 4-year-old filly had previously captured an optional claiming allowance by 3 ½ lengths at Gulfstream in her 2016 debut. “I’ve always knew she had talent. Every race gets better. This race was better than the last. She got away from some nice horses today,” Orseno said. “I’m very happy with her.” Cali Thirty Seven ran a mile on turf in 1:33.83 to win for the fourth time in 12 career races. Notte d’Oro finished second under Tyler Gaffalione, three-quarters of a length ahead of late-closing Susie Bee and Edgar Prado. $100,000 Miami Mile (G3) Quotes Evelio Chavez, Assistant to Trainer Mike Maker (Smokem Kitten): “I’m very impressed. After he broke the track record last time, I asked Mike, ‘What’s next for him?’ He said, I’ll have to think about it, but probably the Miami Mile. Let’s get him ready for that one.’ “Mike took the blinkers off, and that’s made all the difference. He’s much more relaxed.” Jockey Edgar Prado (Smokem Kitten): “He was acting very sharp in the post parade. When he broke so sharp and got the lead so easy, I didn’t want to fight him. He was moving along so good every step of the way. At the top of the stretch, he found another gear. “I rode him twice before. I rode him when he broke his maiden. I was impressed with that race. The second time, I think there was something wrong with him. Now, he is 100 percent.” Gulfstream Park
Kentucky Derby Prep Results [Louisiana Derby & Jeff Ruby Steaks] | The Magic Mike Show 536 The Magic Mike Show guys discuss what they learned from… Read More
2024 Louisiana Derby and Jeff Ruby Steaks Previews and Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 658 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for the $1… Read More
Bayou Bluegrass Pick 5 [Fair Grounds & Turfway Park] | The Magic Mike Show 535 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Championship Series Look Ahead | Blinkers Off 657 The Racing Dudes take a look ahead at the upcoming… Read More
March Madness BRACKET Breakdown | Dudes Who Bet Sports 185 Aaron and Papa Dude give their break down of each… Read More
How We CASHED BIG On Louisiana Derby Day | Racing Dudes Betting Bible Update Aaron reviews the recent Racing Dudes Betting Bible to explain… Read More
How Jared SCORED BIG On Louisiana Derby Day | Racing Dudes Betting Bible Update Jared reviews the recent Racing Dudes Betting Bible to explain… Read More
Florida Derby 2024 | Gulfstream Park Picks [Kentucky Derby] Aaron previews the 2024 Florida Derby (G1) from Gulfstream Park,… Read More
Arkansas Derby 2024 | Oaklawn Park Picks [Kentucky Derby] Aaron previews the 2024 Arkansas Derby (G1) from Oaklawn Park,… Read More
UAE Derby 2024 | Meydan Dubai Picks [Kentucky Derby] New York-bred Pandagate worked five-eighths in 1:03.20 Sunday in company… Read More