TDN RISING STARS

July 8, 2005 - Belmont Park, Race 3, Msw, USD $43,000, 5 1/2f

Saoirse Cat, f, 2, 2003 by Storm Cat

1st Dam: Saoirse (Ch. Older Mare-Can, GSW-US, $502,720), by Cure the Blues
2nd Dam: Apelia, by Cool Victor
3rd Dam: Arbela, by Conquistador Cielo

Owner: Live Oak Plantation
Breeder: Live Oak Stud
Trainer: Bill Mott

Saoirse Cat was sent off the even-money chalk in a field scratched down to four and did not disappoint. Fastest into stride from the inside, the bay raced in hand for Edgar Prado, who opted to keep the homebred well off the rail. She responded when asked, felt her rider's left-handed stick inside the final furlong and stayed on nicely for a five-length score over Strelladar (Deputy Minister). The winner's dam sold for $2.2 million at the 2001 Keeneland November sale, carrying a filly by Seeking the Gold. Now racing as Hide and Chic, the three-year-old was most recently the 9 1/4-length winner of the Swept Away S. at Calder June 17. Saoirse is the dam of a yearling filly by A.P. Indy and foaled a filly by El Prado (Ire) this year. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $25,800.