Wow Cat Overwhelms Beldame Rivals

A Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" spot in the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) was not up for grabs in the $400,000 Beldame Stakes (G1), but don't be surprised if Wow Cat is on hand for the Nov. 3 showdown at Churchill Downs.

A Chilean-bred 4-year-old daughter of Lookin At Lucky , Wow Cat reverted to her championship form in South America as she pulled away in the stretch to post a 3 1/4-length victory Oct. 6 at Belmont Park.

The victory was the first in three American starts for Wow Cat, who was 8-for-8 in Chile. He was third in the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) and second in the Shuvee Stakes (G3), both at Saratoga Race Course, for trainer Chad Brown.

Though Wow Cat was 10 lengths behind Abel Tasman and Elate in the Personal Ensign, the Beldame "probably" punched her ticket to Kentucky for the World Championships.

"It's up to Chad, but we'll probably go to the Breeders' Cup," said Peter Brant, who owns Wow Cat along with Stud Vedaval. "She was very impressive today. She came from Chile, and sometimes it takes 6-9 months to get a horse climatized. She's only been here 5 1/2 to six months, and I don't think she liked the track at Saratoga. This is more like what she was used to running on in Chile."

Brown certainly seemed open to the idea of meeting up with the top runners in a division that could be ripe for upheaval after Abel Tasman was fifth at 1-9 odds in the Sept. 30 Zenyatta Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park and Elate is dealing with a leg injury.

"If she goes to Churchill and likes it, who knows? I'm open to it," Brown said. "It takes your breath away just looking at her, physically. We can't take any credit for the way she looks. She arrived this way. She got beat 10 lengths last time by two really good fillies, but I didn't think the gap should be 10 lengths. She's really a top-class horse. She came to us undefeated. She's legit." 

Sent off as the $1.30-to-1 favorite in a field of eight, Wow Cat was fourth behind the pacesetting Farrell after an opening half-mile in :46.88, then launched a strong, wide move that carried her and jockey Jose Ortiz to the front turning for home. She was never threatened after that in covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.75.

The win was the ninth in 11 starts for Wow Cat, who was bred by Haras Paso Nevado and increased her earnings to $696,977. Verve's Tale was a half-length back in third and was followed by Teresa Z, Come Dancing, Berned, Dreamcall, and Farrell.

It was Brant's first win in the Beldame since 1979 with Waya.

Finishing second was Divine Miss Grey, who was claimed for $16,000 on March 15, 2017, by Corms Racing Stable. Now owned by Corms and R.A Hill Stable and trained by Danny Gargan, Divine Miss Grey has won four stakes and earned $638,100 since Corms won a five-way shake for her at Gulfstream Park.

"We are ultra happy," said Lucas Stritsman, who heads Corms Racing Stable. "She always tries, and that has to put a smile on your face."

Video: Beldame S. (G1)