Island Commish Wins Third Straight in Kitten's Joy

Maximum Security rose from the maiden claiming ranks to become a graded winner last year at Gulfstream Park in the Xbressbet Florida Derby (G1).

Now Island Commish is emulating him to an extent, albeit on a different surface. Racing Jan. 4 in the $100,000 Kitten's Joy Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream, the former $35,000 maiden claimer proved up to the stakes challenge, outrunning Get Smokin and Summer to Remember for his third consecutive victory.

Although the eight-horse Kitten's Joy—a turf test for 3-year-olds at about 7 1/2 furlongs—appeared to have ample speed, an early duel never materialized. Sensing that Get Smokin and jockey Jose Ortiz were intent on taking the lead, Paco Lopez rated Island Commish in second as Get Smokin set fractions of :24.41 and :47.81.

On the second turn, Island Commish dialed up the pressure. They went after the pacesetter, pulled alongside with six furlongs in 1:10.78, and gradually inched away down the stretch to win by a half-length.

"At the three-eighths (pole), I saw that the horse in front was going good, so I asked him a little bit and he gave me a good run," Lopez said.

Summer to Remember, three wide throughout, stayed in third position for much of the race and at the wire, two lengths behind Get Smokin.

Irish Mias, the 2-1 favorite, advanced from the back of the pack to reach contention leaving the backstretch but finished fourth.

The winner, a son of Commissioner  bred in Kentucky by Julia Rice, finished in 1:28.25 on a firm course and paid $14.60.

Video: Kitten's Joy S. (G3T)

It was Island Commish's second stakes start after finishing third in the Proud Man Stakes Aug. 31 at Gulfstream. That stakes start, which came after a debut win, was then followed by a fifth in an allowance optional claimer and two wins in starter optional claiming races, both at Gulfstream Park West and also at 7 1/2 furlongs on grass.

Island Commish raced for Shooting Star Stable in his first four races before starting for owner Matt Schera in his second Gulfstream Park West victory Nov. 20 and in the Kitten's Joy. These came after a private purchase in the fall. 

"We thought he was coming up to the race in good form, as good as he can get," winning trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. "We didn't know if he had the ability to win this kind of race, but we thought now was the time to try. Seven and a half (furlongs) is his distance, so we thought to give him a shot."

Out of the Sligo Bay mare Bide a Wee Island, Island Commish is the dam's second winner from two starters. Originally a $20,000 purchase as a weanling by Clark County Thoroughbreds at the 2017 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment, he sold again the following year at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where SRL Racing bought him from consignor Stuart Morris.

One race before the Kitten's Joy, Shivaree ($3.20) powered to a 3 1/4-length victory in the $75,000 Limestone Stakes to kick off Saturday's stakes races. A 3-year-old Awesome of Course colt owned and bred by Jacks or Better Farm, Shivaree raced six furlongs in 1:10.91 under Emisael Jaramillo for trainer Ralph Nicks.

Ricki Ticki Taffi ran second, followed by Peruvian Boy in third.