Kitten's Roar wins the Goldikova Stakes © Horsephotos.com

Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey’s Kitten’s Roar, the lukewarm 3-1 favorite under jockey John Velazquez, darted between horses at the top of the stretch to take charge and went on to a decisive victory Saturday in the $200,000 Goldikova Stakes in the first of twelve races on the second day of the 2017 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar.

Kitten’s Roar, a five-year-old daughter of Kitten’s Joy trained by Michael Maker, scored by two and one-quarter lengths, with 22-1 outsider Thundering Sky second, nosing out the 3-1 second choice On Leave. Malibu Stacy was fourth in the field of 14 older fillies and mares.

Kitten’s Roar, recording her seventh win in 19 starts, returned $8.20, $4.60 and $3.20. Thundering Sky paid $16.60 and $8.60, while On Leave returned $3.

The winner ran the mile on the infield Jimmy Durante Turf Course in 1:35.18 to earn first money of $120,000, increasing her bankroll to $835,268.

OHN VELAZQUEZ (Kitten’s Roar, winner) – “Perfect trip; couldn’t have been better. She ran well at the mile today, but I think she could readily go on. She could run a mile and an eighth and win too. When you win one like this, it’s a very good consolation prize, though. Winning is always good.”

MIKE MAKER (Kitten’s Roar, winner) – “Johnny had a perfect spot and she showed her class to win.”

FRACTIONS: :23.47 :48.11 1:11.89 1:23.70 1:345.18

The stakes win is the fourth of the meet for rider Velazquez and his fourth ever at Del Mar.

The stakes win is the first of the meet for trainer Maker and his first ever at Del Mar.

The owners are Ken and Sarah Ramsey of Nicholasville, KY.