Cathryn Sophia remains perfect in Davona Dale

Feb 27, 2016 Jennifer Caldwell/Brisnet.com

Cathryn Sophia moved her record to a perfect four-for-four when romping by seven lengths in Saturday’s $200,000 Davona Dale (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

Ridden by Javier Castellano for trainer John Servis, the bay filly was looking for her second straight win of the year after taking the Forward Gal (G2) at Gulfstream to kick off her sophomore campaign. That 5 1/2-length win saw Cathryn Sophia debut on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) leaderboard with 10 points, and she vaulted straight to the top when taking home 50 more points on Saturday.

The Davona Dale is part of the Championship part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of points races, and offered up 50-20-10-5 to the top four finishers.

Cathryn Sophia proved best for owner Cash is King Stable LLC over Lewis Bay, who was making her three-year-old bow off a win in the Demoiselle (G2) at Aqueduct last November. Dearest was another three parts of a length back in third and a distant 13 1/4 lengths behind in fourth was R Girls a Charmer.

Cathryn Sophia ran a mile on Gulfstream’s fast dirt in 1:36.61 and now boasts $335,520 in lifetime earnings. She is out of the Mineshaft mare Sheave and comes from the same female family as Miss Alleged, the 1991 champion turf mare and French highweight older mare who beat the boys that year in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).

DAVONA DALE QUOTES

John Servis, trainer Cathryn Sophia, winner: “Today, I think was probably, to me, her most impressive race. She trained well going into the race. It was only her fourth start. I think there’s a lot more there. She’s showed me a little more every time. Today, she was push-button.

“I told Javier (Castellano), ‘If she breaks running don’t fight her, because they’re going to have to run along pretty quick to run with her.” He took a little hold and she settled really nice. When he called on her, she was there. At the head of the lane, I was worried about the ‘4’ (Lewis Bay). He (Irad Ortiz Jr.) was strangling the ‘4,’ but she just ran away from them.

“I was concerned today about the distance a little bit, and obviously, the way she ran, I feel a whole lot better. She galloped out super. Javier thinks she’ll get the two turns, no problem. I feel pretty good now.

“It’s crazy. I’ve had some nice fillies over time, but to have a horse like Smarty Jones and to have a filly like this, it doesn’t happen, not for a guy from Parx. It’s very exciting. I think she’s just now coming into herself.  Timing-wise, May might (be her time).”

Chuck Zacney of Cash is King LLC, owner Cathryn Sophia, winner: 'I was nervous going into race. The pool got a little deeper with talent and she showed her ability today. Talking to Javier after the race he said he had complete control and when he asked her she took off. Very impressive again. We love Florida and five weeks from now is (the April 2 Gulfstream Park) Oaks (G2). That will be her next for her.'

Javier Castellano, jockey Cathryn Sophia, winner: 'I really liked the way she did it. It was really impressive. It was the first time I rode her. She did it really easy. I liked the way she started the first quarter mile. She was never rank or anything like that. I covered up behind horses, and when I asked her she took off. I can put her in the best, top quality horses in the country the way she did it.'