Florida-bred Category Seven stretched her winning streak to three races Saturday at Louisiana Downs, rallying to beat Dancin Perfect by a half-length in the $50,000 Top Corsage Stakes.
Category Seven, a daughter of Gulf Storm bred by Morriston’s Bill and Linda Hovanec, continued to excel on the Louisiana Downs turf course, where she has won four of her six starts.
With usual rider Richard Eramia aboard, Category Seven ran in fifth place early in the 7 ½-furlong contest while Elle a Gent carved out fractions of 24.37 seconds for a quarter-mile and 47.15 for a half-mile. She made her move leaving the far turn, advancing four-wide to put her head in front at the top of the lane. She then held off Dancin Perfect, who was advancing from last place in a field of eight fillies and mares, and stopped the clock in 1:30.54.
Category Seven, trained by Kenneth Hargrave for the James Perron Racing Stable, paid $5, $2.60 and $2.20 as the public’s choice. Dancin Perfect paid $3.60 and $2.60 after finishing 2 ½ lengths ahead of Pretty Squall, who returned $3.20 to show.
Category Seven spent the first half of her career running on dirt and synthetic surfaces but has blossomed since switching to turf in December 2008. She’s won 10 of her 19 starts on grass, with only four finishes out of the money. For her career, the 5-year-old mare has won 11 of her 37 starts for $311,827.
Prior to Saturday’s race, Category Seven earned victories in a $28,000 allowance on the Evangeline Downs turf course in May and a $26,000 allowance on the Louisiana Downs lawn last month.
Category Seven finished second in last year’s running of the Top Corsage, just a head behind Hotlantic. She went on to get her first stakes victory in the $50,000 Matron Handicap at Evangeline Downs last July and was awarded another stakes score in the $60,000 Furl Sail Handicap at Fair Grounds in January when Never Retreat was disqualified and placed second for interference.
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Photo by Lou Hodges Jr.
