Florida-bred Category Seven remained red hot at Louisiana Downs on Saturday, rallying to win the $50,000 Shishkabob Stakes by three-quarters of a length over Mogumbo Cat for her fifth consecutive victory. Along with third-place runner Dancin Perfect, Category Seven was one of two female horses in the field of nine 3-year-olds and up.
Category Seven, a 5-year-old daughter of Gulf Storm bred by Morriston’s Bill and Linda Hovanec, now has four career stakes wins. She won the $50,000 Matron Handicap for the second straight year at Evangeline Downs in July, and earlier that month at Louisiana Downs, she won the $50,000 Top Corsage Stakes, a race she had lost by just a head in 2009.
Category Seven, trained by Kenneth Hargrave for the James Perron Racing Stable, began her winning streak with allowance scores at Evangeline Downs and Louisiana Downs in May and June. She’s won 13 of her 39 starts and earned $371,827. With Saturday’s win, she improved to 5-for-7 on Louisiana Downs’ turf course.
With usual rider Richard Eramia aboard, Category Seven ran toward the back of the pack as Angelonmyshoulder led the field through a quarter-mile in 22.68 seconds and a half in 46.42. Going around the second turn, she moved up in traffic to get to third place at the top of the lane.
Category Seven was forced to steady near the furlong marker but was able to move out and find running room before launching her winning bid. She finished the one mile on firm turf in 1:36.66 and paid $4.60 for a $2 win bet as the favorite.
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– Photo of Florida-bred Category Seven by Lou Hodges Jr.
