Big Blue Kitten, with jockey Joe Bravo aboard, scored a mild upset in the $750,000 United Nations Stakes (gr. I) this afternoon at Monmouth Park, rallying along the inside of favored Little Mike to win the eleven-furlong turf race by 1 1/2 lengths.
Sent off as the 5-2 second choice in a field of eight, Big Blue Kitten broke smoothly but was content to settle toward the rear of the field as Little Mike, who got off to an absolutely brilliant start, led the way through an opening quarter in :23 4/5 seconds. Skyring, with Gary Stevens aboard, was tracking the pace in second, followed by Russian Greek, Teaks North, and Harrods Creek. Willcox Inn, Big Blue Kitten, and Hangover Kid were the trailers.
Little Mike and Skyring continued to lead the way through six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 and a mile in 1:35 4/5, after which Little Mike put away Skyring and attempted to open up on the field. However, Big Blue Kitten -- who had saved ground on every turn -- was rallying strongly along the inside, and quickly shot past Little Mike to take the lead. Teaks North and Hangover Kid both came running late to edge Little Mike for second and third, but neither could threaten Big Blue Kitten, who stopped the clock in a quick 2:11.98 to garner his first-ever grade I victory.
Little Mike wound up fourth, followed by Willcox Inn, Skyring, Harrods Creek, and Russian Greek.
The winner, a five-year-old son of Kitten's Joy out of the Unaccounted For mare Spent Gold, is trained by Chad Brown and owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey. He is the
-Keelerman
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