Katdogawn’s Stretch Drive Is a Winner in Manhattan Beach

Unlike last year when longshot Ragin T Rex prevailed, the $77,400 Manhattan Beach Stakes had a formful result in 2003.

Katdogawn, the preferred half of an entry that was the 11-10 favorite, defeated 7-2 second choice Seven Grand on Sunday at Hollywood Park.

Winning her second in a row for a partnership that includes Jim Ford, John Cuchna and Daron Pearson and trained by Jim Cassidy, the 3-year-old English-bred filly overcame some adversity before kicking away in the final sixteenth of a mile. Last at one point early in the 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint, she won by two lengths under jockey Mike Smith. She completed the distance in 1:02.77.

Unbeaten in two starts on the main track at Bay Meadows and Golden Gate Fields before Sunday, Seven Grand finished a length clear of 24-1 longshot Montana Banana, then came Himalayan, Tulsa, Spectacular Anzi, Aclevershadeofade, Little Malvern, who was coupled with the winner, Vanilla Sky and Honest Answer.

“She’s got some kind of turn of foot,” Smith said. “Once we straightened out, she really accelerated. I guess she’s strictly a sprinter.”