On To BC Turf for Big Blue Kitten

Big Blue Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) is on target for the Oct. 31 GI Breeders’ Cup Turf after his record-setting victory in Saturday’s GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic.

“It’s nice to have the course record on Big Blue Kitten’s resume,” reported trainer Chad Brown, who also trains Turf Classic runner-up Slumber (GB) (Cacique {Ire}). “The horse deserves it. He came in as a 2-year-old for us and he’s a horse that’s been very consistent, reliable, and hard knocking.”

Brown said Big Blue Kitten will continue to train at Belmont Park before shipping to Keeneland for the championships.

“I don’t see any reason to move Big Blue Kitten early,” Brown explained. “He likes training in New York, so we’re just going to leave him here and if all goes well bring him to Keeneland the week of the Breeders’ Cup. I’ll need to speak with each of the ownership groups for Slumber and Shining Copper (Aragorn {Ire}) [fifth after setting the pace in Turf Classic] and see what they want to do as well.”

Brown also gave an upbeat bulletin on undefeated Lady Eli (Divine Park), who continues to recover from laminitis. The 3-year-old filly was last seen winning the July 4 GI Belmont Oaks.

“She’s doing terrific right now,” Brown said. “She’s over at Dell Ridge Farm and she’s been turned out a couple times a day and she’s really enjoying that. All the members of her team are really happy with her progress. The plan is to give her a couple months in Kentucky and I plan on taking her back into my care maybe the end of November, beginning of December, down to Palm Meadows and start her back in light training.”