After finishing second to Miss Missile in the Canada Day Stakes, Polynesian Kitty reasserted her dominance on the older mare division with an easy win in the Winnipeg Sun Stakes on Sunday.
After getting left at the gate leading rider Alan Cuthbertson had to go to plan “B” with the mare. “The plan was to go right to the lead,” said Cuthbertson, “however we had to try something else, and it worked for us.”
Having to settle in behind horses going into the first turn Polynesian Kitty, trained by Jamie Ness, seemed to pull Cuthbertson to the front going down the backstretch. Going wide into the final turn, Polynesian Kitty commanded the lead from early leaders Spillway and Talkin Money Honey. “The Cat” then ran away from the field and won by eight.
Polynesian Kitty is now three of four here at Assiniboia Downs this year and has made more than $100,000 this year. “She is a diamond in the rough,” said owner Bradly Butcher, “she is a really nice horse and we are enjoying the ride.”
Turn It Up, trained by Marty Drexler, trailed the pack early and started to make her move going into the final turn. Having finished third to Polynesian Kitty in her last start, Turn It Up was able to get up for second this time.
Last year’s winner of the Winnipeg Sun Stakes, Culpeper Moon, also from the Drexler barn, settled for third.
