Whenigettoheaven with JC Torrealba up. (Jerry Dzierwinski /MJC)
Trainer Ramsey Gets First Stakes Win
David Joseph/Maryland Jockey Club
LAUREL, Md. – Ken Ramsey’s Whenigettoheaven dueled with stubborn pacesetter Tidewater the length of the stretch before sticking his neck out at the wire and providing trainer Nolan Ramsey with his first career stakes victory in the $75,000 Ben’s Cat.
It was the second straight win for Whenigettoheaven ($3.40), both at Laurel, since Ramsey took over training the 5-year-old gelding for his grandfather, a multiple Eclipse Award-winning owner and breeder.
“We knew we were coming up here, so we were keeping an eye out for some Maryland-breds,” said Ramsey, a former longtime assistant to trainer Mike Maker that started his first horse April 20 at Gulfstream Park. “He had some back class and had been running some really good races, so we took a shot with him. He’s really come around for us.”
Tidewater, exiting a popular 2 ¼-length open allowance win sprinting 5 ½ furlongs June 15 on the Laurel turf, was quickest from the gate and in front after an opening quarter of 22.68 seconds. Jockey J.G. Torrealba positioned Whenigettoheaven in second along the rail with Matta, third in last year’s Ben’s Cat, racing third and Great Idea in fourth.
It was still Tidewater in front after the half went in 45.36 but his lead was dwindling as Torrealba tipped out and moved up alongside the leader midway around the far turn. The two straightened for home together with Tidewater on the inside and Whenigettoheaven drifting out slightly to the center of the track and powering to the wire in 1:08.26 over a firm Fort Marcy turf course.
Great Idea was third, two lengths behind runner-up Tidewater and a neck ahead of 29-1 long shot Mission Man in fourth. Had to Have Him, Matta, Sue Loves Barbados, Tiz No Clown and Bump N Run completed the order of finish.
Mission Man’s sibling and stablemate Witty, the Grade 2-placed six-time stakes winner, defending champion and 6-5 program favorite, was scratched, along with Johnyz From Albany and main-track-only entrant Arden’sluckytobe.
“A nice horse will make anybody look smart. He’s really come to form for us. He’s a very nice horse and it was a perfect ride,” Ramsey said. “He was really sharp out of the gate in his last start, so being towards the front didn’t really surprise me today. Great ride, really no complaints. He had everything his way, so we’re just happy to be here.”
Ramsey registered his first career winner May 10 at Gulfstream. Stabled there as well as Laurel, Ramsey got his first win in Maryland with Longbranch Lou May 26 at historic Pimlico Race Course, and his first Laurel win came courtesy of Whenigettoheaven June 7.
The 27-year-old Ramsey was presented with the winner’s trophy by 91-year-old Hall of Fame horseman King Leatherbury, who bred, owned and trained Ben’s Cat.
“It was an honor to be in the winner’s circle with him,” Ramsey said. “They don’t come any better than Ben’s Cat. It was kind of a cool win, especially for the history of Maryland and my first year up here. It’s special for me, too.”
Ben’s Cat won 32 of 63 career races, 26 stakes and more than $2.6 million in purses over eight racing seasons. A four-time Maryland-bred Horse of the Year, Ben’s Cat died July 18, 2017 of complications from colic surgery at the age of 11.
