Amelia's Wild Ride Edges Ben's Cat
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Amelia's Wild Ride just edged Ben's Cat in the $150,000 Pennsylvania Governor's Cup Stakes May 30 at Penn National Race Course , turning tables from the Jim McKay Turf Sprint Stakes won by Ben's Cat.
Third in that May 15 event for Silver Trail Stables, Amelia's Wild Ride came back to hold off Ben's Cat by a nose in a photo finish in the five-furlong Pennsylvania Governor's Cup, taking the turf sprint in :55.20 on a firm course.
Jockey Jose Lezcano had the 4-year-old son of D'wildcat forwardly-placed in second behind the pace set by 8-5 second choice Bold Thunder, who went a quarter in :21.89 and a half in :43.73 while maintaining about a length advantage.
As the field of seven turned for home, Ben's Cat was closing from fourth, but Amelia's Wild Ride had enough of an advantage to get the nose down on the line. Bold Thunder held for third a neck back, 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Grateful Nation.
Amelia's Wild Ride paid $10.80, $4.80, and $2.60, while Ben's Cat returned $3.20 and $2.60 as the 6-5 choice. Bold Thunder brought $2.20 to show. Behind Grateful Nation came Last Heartbreaker, Fabulous Kid, and Snow Leaopard.
Bred in Florida by Red Oak Stable out of the Hook and Ladder mare Amelia Island, Amelia's Wild Ride improved his record to 8-3-6 from 26 starts for earnings of $319,840 while taking his second stakes score. Earlier this season, he won the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Stakes for trainer Ramon Preciado.