Ima Happy Cat victorious in Seattle Stakes

$50,000 KENT STAKES FEATURES IMA HAPPY CAT

AUBURN, Wash. (June 3, 2018) – Sophomore fillies reconvene Sunday, June 10 for the $50,000 Kent Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs. Eight runners are nominated to the Kent, the second of four open stakes for 3-year-old fillies and final sprint of the series.

Sue and Tim Spooner’s Ima Happy Cat is the horse to beat. A California-bred by Smiling Tiger, Ima Happy Cat drew clear for a 2 ½-length victory in the May 20 Seattle Stakes, running six furlongs in 1:09.68 with Rocco Bowen aboard. Trained by Dan Markle, Ima Happy Cat is 2 for 2 in 2018, and returned to work a bullet four furlongs in :45 4/5 Sunday morning.

Bella Mia, Brilliant Bird, Diamonds R and Spot On—second, third, fourth and fifth in the Seattle—take another crack at Ima Happy Cat in the Kent.

The speedy Bella Mia, last year’s track and state champion 2-year-old filly, finished a game second in her 2018 debut for Blaine Wright and owners John and Janene Maryanski. By Harbor the Gold, Bella Mia is 4-1-0 in six career starts with $101,323 in earnings.

Lightly raced Brilliant Bird dueled with Bella Mia in the Seattle, setting fractions of :21.76 and :44.37, and held on well for third place. A Washington-bred by Einstein, Brilliant Bird is 1-1-1 in three starts with earnings of $21,225.

Downwind is a $270,000 Curlin filly coming off a sharp 3 ¾-length maiden special weight score on the synthetic Tapeta surface at Golden Gate.

$50,000 Kent Stakes, Sunday, June 10
3-Year-Old Fillies, 6 ½ Furlongs
Horse. . . . .Owner. . . . .Trainer
Bella Mia (3/WA) John & Janene Maryanski Blaine Wright
Brilliant Bird (3/WA) Ron Crockett Inc. Terry Gillihan
Diamonds R (3/KY) George Todaro Tom Wenzel
Downwind (3/KY) Ten Broeck Farm Blaine Wright
Goldie’s Darlins (3/WA) Aaron Bresko Neil Knapp
Ima Happy Cat (3/CA) Sue & Tim Spooner Dan Markle
Sea Basket (3/WA) M Pattison, C Essex, J & J Crawford Charles Essex
Spot On (3/WA) Blue Ribbon Racing #16 Kay Cooper

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