Ben's Cat Eyes Earnings Mark in Laurel Dash

The Jim Stable's Ben's Cat will seek his third Laurel Dash victory in four attempts when he faces nine other sprinters in the $100,000 event Sept. 27 at Laurel Park.

The Dash is one of 12 races on a strong program that includes six stakes, all of them on the turf. Almost $800,000 in purse money will be up for grabs for the entire card.

Bred, owned, and trained by King Leatherbury, Ben's Cat, an 8-year-old Maryland-bred gelding by Parker's Storm Cat  , is shooting for his 28th victory in the 43rd start of his career. In his last start Sept. 1, he finished a fast-closing second to Sharp Sensation in the Turf Monster Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Parx Racing despite trouble.

Ben's Cat won the six-furlong Laurel Dash in 2011 and 2013, and finished second behind Jazzy Idea in 2012. He is the 124-pound highweight in a field of 10 and will be ridden for the 31st time by Julian Pimentel.

"I am surprised there are that many horses against us, but it seems like it is that way all the time," Leatherbury told Maryland Jockey Club officials. "I don't know what it is. I am carrying more weight than the entire field, but I don't see anything in here that I have to worry about."

Pimentel, who was aboard Ben's Cat when he broke his maiden in a claimer in his career debut at Pimlico Race Course in 2010, remains high on the gelding.

"He is doing great," the jockey said. "We should have won last time. We clipped heels and still almost won. It's crazy to say but he is doing just as good as ever, maybe even better." 

With earnings of $2,165,990, Ben's Cat is close to becoming the all-time leading Maryland-bred by earnings; a victory in the Dash would put him over the top. Safely Kept (by Horatius), the champion sprinter of 1989 and winner of the 1990 Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) against males, holds the record at $2,194,206.