Ajina Is Sharper Than ‘Cat at End

Ajina continued a trend in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Saturday at Hollywood Park.

The last three times the Breeders’ Cup has been held in California, a 3-year-old filly has won the Distaff.

Emulating Sacahuista’s victory here in 1987 and Hollywood Wildcat’s score at Santa Anita in 1993, Ajina stole the spotlight from a 3-year-old filly who was supposed to shine.

Slipping through along the rail early in the stretch, the daughter of Strawberry Road and a 9-2 third choice dominated favored Sharp Cat in the final furlong and went on to win by two lengths in 1:47 1/5 for the 1 1/8 miles and pay $11.60. On a day of record performances, she was well off the track and Breeders’ Cup marks for the distance.

Sharp Cat, who couldn’t handle Ajina the last time they got together, in the Mother Goose on May 31 at Belmont Park, was easily second at 1-1 odds, 3 1/2 lengths in front of Escena, Ajina’s entrymate.

Nowhere to be found were Hidden Lake, the scourge of Belmont Park, and defending champion Jewel Princess.

Returning to California, where she had enjoyed only moderate success before joining John Kimmel’s barn in New York, Hidden Lake finished seventh as the 17-10 second choice, beaten by 22 lengths. Her streak of four consecutive graded stakes victories was broken.

The only Distaff entrant she beat was Jewel Princess, who raced coupled with Sharp Cat. In her final start, she was eased in the stretch by jockey Corey Nakatani. “She’s OK,” trainer Wally Dollase said. “She just didn’t have it today.”

In winning for the sixth time in 13 starts, Ajina, ridden by Mike Smith, provided owner Allen Paulson and trainer Bill Mott their fourth Breeders’ Cup victory.

“I don’t think you can deny her [the Eclipse as top 3-year-old filly] now with this win under her belt,” said Mott.

Pressured by Radu Cool out of the gate, Sharp Cat opened a clear lead on the backside through lively fractions (22 3/5 and 45 4/5 seconds and 1:09 1/5). But as at Belmont Park earlier in the year, she couldn’t contain Ajina.

Clearly, 1 1/8 miles is not Sharp Cat’s preferred distance. She has been beaten in four of five races at nine furlongs.

“We couldn’t have done it any differently, but I’d like to have seen her throw up a 1:10 3/5 [six-furlong fraction],” said trainer Wayne Lukas, who was trying to win the Distaff for the fourth time. “[Ajina] ran a very good race and had a nice trip, cutting the corner.

“[Sharp Cat] ran her race. Those are two awfully nice 3-year-old fillies, and there were some good horses behind us.”

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PAST WINNERS

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Year Horse Jockey Margin Payoff 1984 Princess Rooney E. Delahoussaye 7 lengths $3.40 1985 Life’s Magic A. Cordero 6 1/4 lengths $2.80 1986 Lady’s Secret P. Day 2 1/2 lengths $3.00 1987 Sacahuista R. Romero 2 1/4 lengths $7.80 1988 Personal Ensign R. Romero Nose $3.00 1989 Bayakoa L. Pincay 1 1/2 lengths $3.40 1990 Bayakoa L. Pincay 6 3/4 lengths $4.20 1991 Dance Smartly P. Day 1 1/2 lengths $3.00 1992 Paseana C. McCarron 4 lengths $7.40 1993 Hollywood Wildcat E. Delahoussaye Nose $4.60 1994 One Dreamer G. Stevens Neck $96.20 1995 Inside Information M. Smith 13 1/2 lengths $3.60 1996 Jewel Princess C. Nakatani 1 1/2 lengths $6.80 1997 Ajina M. Smith 2 lengths $11.60

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