NYRA/Coglianese Photo
By Sarah Mace
Two years after Lawrence Goichman’s homebred Kathryn the Wise (Uncle Mo) won the $200,000 Critical Eye Stakes by more than eight lengths in 2017, she left her competition in the dust in the same race Monday on Big Apple Showcase Day at Belmont Park, this time in stakes record time.
Setting out on a front-running mission under Javier Castellano, the 6-year old fast set fast fractions, was unopposed from gate to wire and stopped the clock after the one-turn mile at 1:33.63.
Poking her head in front in the first couple strides after the break, Kathryn the Wise quickly opened two lengths on the field, tracked along the backstretch by Frostie Anne and Indy’s Lady. Whizzing through an opening quarter in 22.49 and half-mile in 45.12, she preserved a measured lead into the far turn.
Midway around the turn, the field appeared to mount a collective challenge, whittling away at “Kathryn’s” lead, but the threat was illusory. The filly kicked on through six panels in 1:09.46, spurted ahead again in the stretch and extended her lead to more than three lengths. She ultimately cruised under the wire to win by five lengths in a final time of 1:33.63. [VIDEO]
NYRA/E;lsa Lorieul
“My filly broke well, and I didn’t want to take anything away that came easy,” said Jockey Javier Castellano. “She broke on top and I let her run her own race. She galloped along on the lead and she was just amazing. The way she did it today, I was very impressed. I have to thank Mr. [Chad] Brown for giving me the opportunity to ride the filly. It was my first time on her, and she made me look good today.”
Although she had only seven prior lifetime starts to her credit due to several setbacks over the years, Kathryn the Wise is an outstanding talent and has amply rewarded the patience of her connections. In her debut and lone start at three at Aqueduct on November 25, 2016, she aired by 5 1/2 lengths in a state-bred maiden special weight. In two 2017 starts, she won the pair by a combined 20 1/4 lengths – a first-level state-bred allowance and the Critical Eye in her stakes debut.
Sidelined until fall 2018, Kathryn the Wise took two races to shake off the rust but came roaring back in the La Verdad Stakes January, winning by more than 10 lengths. She came into the Critical Eye following a sixth-place finish in the Grade 3 Distaff at Aqueduct after blowing the break. She has been sent off as the heavy favorite in every start, including the Distaff.
Whit Beckman, assistant to winning trainer Chad Brown commented, “This was a nice performance from her today. After her last start [in the Distaff] she seems to have rebounded fine. She runs real well on the lead. We didn’t expect to be in front like that, but it worked out well for us.”
From five victories in eight starts with one runner-up finish Kathryn the Wise has earned $375,250.
Foaled at Vivien Malloy’s Edition Farm, Kathryn the Wise is out of Goichman homebred Shea d’Lady, who has produced three foals to race, all winners. Goichman purchased “Kathryn’s” third dam, unraced Kentucky-bred Elhasna (Danzig), at the 2002 Keeneland January sale for $92,000. Without issue for three years after Kathryn the Wise, Shea d’ Lady has one more reported foal: a colt by Northern Afleet who is now two.
