Kindergarden Kid rallies to win Sycamore Stakes

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Lexington, KY (Sports Network) - Kindergarden Kid, ridden by Julien Leparoux, rallied down the stretch to catch Ioya Bigtime and win the $100,000 Sycamore Stakes at Keeneland.

Racing fifth in the seven-horse field for most of the race, Kindergarden Kid found another gear with 100 yards to go and overtake the front-running Ioya Bigtime at the wire.

Trained by Mike Maker, Kindergarden Kid posted a neck victory over Ioya Bigtime with Miami Deco holding onto third. Finishing fourth was Rahystrada followed by Seton Hall and Canaveral. Musketier, the 5-2 favorite, finished last in what was probably his final career start.

The time for the 1 1/2-miles was 2:31.80 on a firm turf course.

Kindergarden Kid, claimed by Maker for Ken and Sarah Ramsey in August, won for the first time this year and picked up $60,000. The victory broke an eight- race losing streak and boosted his career earnings to $383,959.

The 5-year-old gelding was coming off consecutive thirds in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park and the Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs. The gelding has now won five of 21 lifetime starts.

Kindergarden Kid returned $8.00, $3.80 and $2.80. Ioya Bigtime paid $3.80 and $3.00, and Miami Deco paid $4.80 to show.