From Emerald Downs
AUBURN, Wash. (May 20, 2017) – California-bred Ima Happy Cat collared the leaders into the stretch and drew clear for a 2 ½ -length triumph over Bella Mia in the $50,000 Seattle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies Sunday at Emerald Downs.
With Rocco Bowen riding at 118 lbs, Ima Happy Cat ran six furlongs in 1:09.68 and paid $6.40, $3.20 and $2.60. Dan Markle is the trainer for owners Tim and Sue Spooner of Olympia, Wash. She was bred by Dale Mahlum.
With the victory, Ima Happy Cat made a successful leap from maiden special weight winner to stakes winner, a notoriously difficult feat in Thoroughbred racing.
“She’s just a real quality filly,” Markle said.
Markle said Ima Happy Cat lost a shoe on the walk over before the race, but stood still like a pro while being re-shod in the paddock.
Ima Happy Cat was all business in the race too, stalking Bella Mia and Brilliant Bird through fractions of :21.76 and :44.37, launching a three wide bid around the turn, overtaking the leaders into the lane and drawing clear for the victory.
“When I straightened her up in the stretch, I was loaded with horse today,” Bowen said. “She got a monster figure in her (maiden) win at Golden Gate, she’s a great horse.”
A California-bred by Smiling Tiger-Infernal McGoon, Ima Happy Cat is 2-1-1 in four starts with earnings of $53,705. She earned $26,950 for winning the Seattle.
Bella Mia, a slight choice over Ima Happy Cat in the wagering, gamely held second and paid $3.20 and $2.60. Winner of three stakes last year, Bella Mia earned $9,800 to push her earnings over the $100,000 mark for owners John and Janene Maryanski of Auburn, Wash. Emerald Downs and Washington champion as a 2-year-old, Bella Mia is 4-1-0 in six starts with earnings of $101,323,
Brilliant Bird also held on well in the stretch, finishing third, and paid $3.40 to show. Her career mark is 1-1-1 in three starts with earnings of $21,225.
Diamonds R, Spot On, Stay in Grace and Gold Supply completed the order of finish.
Sophomore fillies reconvene June 10 for the $50,000 Kent Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs.