Kitten's Joy

He was named in honor of a legend and Keeneland has become the latest stepping stone to creating his own. Remember Mamba (Kitten's Joy) showed all the telltale signs of inexperience late, but his turn of foot was more than enough to run down the leaders and claim the GIII UK Healthcare Transylvania Stakes on opening Friday at Keeneland. Debuted at this venue last October going long on the grass, he produced an eye-catching rally where he sailed home by 4 1/2 lengths best and earned 'TDN Rising Star, presented...

Crunched from a morning line of 5-1 into 8-5 favoritism while attempting to negotiate nine furlongs at first asking, C R K Stable's Remember Mamba (c, 2, Kitten's Joy--Gizmo, by Uncle Mo) turned in a performance as professional as the late NBA legend for whom he his named, streaking away through the final 100 yards to become a 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Saturday at Keeneland. Drawn gate three, the $270,000 Keeneland September yearling bounced well and was able to secure a prominent position just behind the speed with...

Dr. Kapur (c, 2, McKinzie--Ava's Kitten, by Kitten's Joy), a game second, beaten just a neck, after setting a fast pace in the coveted Travers Day maiden at Saratoga Aug. 23, ran to the money as the 4-5 favorite with a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' performance at Keeneland Thursday. The Ken Ramsey homebred was hustled to the front, but was immediately hounded to his inside through an opening quarter in :22.47. He began to get some breathing room on the far turn, kicked for home as the one...

RyZan Sun Racing LLC and Madaket Stables LLC's Mission of Joy (m, 5, Kitten's Joy--Smart Mission, by Smart Strike), whose last graded win was two years ago, moved west this summer to Phil D'Amato's barn and must like the weather and the firm turf that's a hallmark of California grass racing. In her third Golden State start, she captured Saturday's GII Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar in four weeks. It was a...

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. Given "a new lease on life" after undergoing kidney transplant surgery last June, Ken Ramsey was looking for a way to say thank you to Dr. Sandip Kapur. "This is the premier doctor in New York and he's got all kinds of accolades, but he's never had a horse named after him," the longtime owner/breeder said of Dr. Kapur, Chief of Transplant Surgery and Director of the...

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. Counterbalance (f, 2, Caravaggio--Out of Balance, by Kitten's Joy) came flashing home to finish fourth in a race that held together quite well over opening weekend at Del Mar. Overlooked at 37-1 in her debut going five furlongs on dirt for trainer Michael McCarthy, the Amerman Racing homebred broke alertly from her inside draw, but was quickly outfooted. She was heading the wrong direction while under a...

Taking the waters proved a fairly literal recreation through opening week at the Spa. Despite short fields and soggy turf, however, there were one or two sunbeams for those who relish a pedigree. 'TDN Rising Star' Far Bridge (English Channel) was scarcely a revelation in outclassing three rivals for the GII Bowling Green Stakes, his fifth graded success in his last seven starts. But his overall body of work and deeper family together demand the opportunity, someday, to extend his sire's legacy at stud. Admittedly Far Bridge's page features little...

It's not just the horses that are called upon. Horsemen, too, must measure up to the challenges of our sport. To many, that now means rescheduling the Triple Crown series. To some of us, however, it means the very opposite. Our community was similarly divided in 2023 by the loss of two horses easing to Grade I success, right in front of the Saratoga grandstand. That trauma prompted many to demand that all dirt tracks be dug up. Others, however, urged persevering with the ancestral core of American racing so...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a Sea The Stars (Ire) son of Rizeena (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}). 2.25 Newmarket, Debutantes, £22,000, 3yo, 8fT MUHAAJIM (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is one of the key members of the cast of this Wood Ditton Stakes, being a son of the G1 Coronation Stakes and...

Based at his Mill Ridge Farm, Headley Bell and his Nicoma Bloodstock have been helping clients mate their mares since 1979. With such notable successes as Trempolino, Suave Dancer, Keeper Hill, Barbaro, Street Sense, Havre de Grace, Oscar Performance, Bricks and Mortar, and the 2024 Preakness winner Seize the Grey, it's no wonder that many of the clients he discusses below have been with him for over 40 years. "It's such a gift to be able to assist our clients in this manner because it's something I'm passionate about," said...

When it came to launching his training career, Nolan Ramsey, 28, didn't waste any time. The grandson of prominent owner Ken Ramsey, he went out on his own last May and by year's end he had won 27 races at a 25% clip. For most trainers, especially a rookie, that would be considered an excellent season. But Ramsey is convinced that he can do much better and won't be satisfied until he is recognized as one of the top trainers in the sport. A former assistant to Mike Maker, he...

ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption and After the Finish Line will restart the popular Moneigh auctions--abstract artwork created by horses using their lips, muzzle, hoof, and/or whiskers--later this week. Eighteen original Moneighs by Breeders' Cup winners and competitors will be up for bid, including original artwork by Cody's Wish, Serena's Song, Authentic, Kitten's Joy, Afleet Alex, Blame, Ghostzapper, Midshipman, and others. "This new collaboration between charities means proceeds will help even more Off-Track Thoroughbreds in need. The Moneighs are back with a fresh new look and exciting new stallion, broodmare, and pony...