Ben's Cat outfinishes Ribo Bobo in Fabulous Strike Handicap
November 28, 2013Ben's Cat, under Julian Pimentel, stalked the pace early and rallied into the stretch to win the $250,000 Fabulous Strike Handicap at Penn National on Wednesday evening.
Trained by King Leatherbury, Ben's Cat patiently awaited room and was angled out in the stretch to wear down the pace-setting Ribo Bobo to win by a half-length. The 4-5 favorite, Ribo Bibo finished second, 3 1/4 lengths in front of Good Morning Diva in third.
The running time for the six furlongs over a track rated as good was 1:09.74 and Ben's Cat returned $9.80 to win.
In the other three stakes on the card:
* Gracer, under Joe Rocco, went from flagfall to that's all to win the $75,500 Blue Mountain Juvenile for 2-year-old Pennsylvania-bred fillies. Trained by Tony Dutrow, Gracer won by 3 3/4 lengths in ridden-out fashion. Raging Smoke was second, 7 1/4 lengths in front of Chasing the Moon in third. Gracer ran the six furlongs in 1:11.02 and returned $3.60 to win.
* Five Star Momma held off She's Ordained to win the $150,000 Lady in Waiting by a neck. Ridden by Julian Pimentel for trainer Jena Antonucci, FIve Star Momma returned $8.60 to win and she ran the six furlongs in 1:11.78. Sweet Cassiopea was third.
* Taptowne led from start to finish to win the $150,000 Swatara going 1 1/16 miles by 5 1/4 lengths as the even-money favorite. Trained by Tim Glyshaw and ridden by Brian Hernandez, Taptowne was held just off the early pace before showing his class in the stretch. A.P. Ono was second, a neck in front of Ponzi Scheme in third. The running time was 1:44.09 and Taptowne returned $4 to win.