Owner Evan Katz makes a habit of perusing the listings on online auction sites. In fact, he checks them almost daily in the hopes of finding another horse to add to his stable. When Katz came across a listing for Itty Bitty in fall 2016, he found a diamond in the rough.
Then a freshman, the pacing filly by Always A Virgin out of the Warrior For Peace mare Bananih had 15 starts on the Indiana fair circuit for owner, trainer, and driver Charles Conrad. Itty Bitty earned two wins and another eight seconds and thirds, but it was her finishing ability that caught Katz’s eye. In her final start for Conrad, Itty Bitty came home in :27.4 at the Fayette County Free Fair in Connersville, Indiana.
“She showed some really good fair lines in Indiana with some really good final quarters. If you know the tracks there, anything semi-decent is a real fast last quarter,” Katz said. “She was always closing. From the top of the stretch to the wire, she was always passing horses. That’s what you have to look for, horses that finish.”
Despite her low opening bid, as a regular user Katz knew that the online auctions are generally quiet until the timer reaches the final few minutes. He waited and waited, but there was little activity. When the auction ended, Katz bought the filly for $8,000.
“It’s pretty much sight unseen. You go by the lines and hope the people are being upfront with you,” Katz said. “There’s an offer or a starting bid and in the last 10 minutes, usually people really start to bid. There really wasn’t a whole lot of action on her.
“I’m not sure why other people really didn’t go after her,” he continued. “I don’t think the guy who had her realized the potential. She’s really a natural. She’s loves to race.”
Katz gave Itty Bitty to Billy Parker and sent her to Monticello for her first start subsequent to the auction. They spotted her in a $3,300 overnight for non-winners of a pari-mutuel race October 5, 2016. Itty Bitty’s rivals proved vastly overmatch as she circled the field and stormed away to an 18-length win. She stopped the clock in 2:00.1 with a :27.3 final quarter.
“She just exploded halfway up the backstretch; she was real impressive, she just drew off. Then I realized that she was a little better than I had thought,” Katz said.
Shortly after that start, Katz gave Itty Bitty to trainer Andrew Harris, who, along with Bob Darrow, bought an ownership interest in the filly. In 70 starts, Itty Bitty has amassed 17 wins, 11 seconds, and 10 thirds, good for $220,377. Her biggest victory to date came last Friday (January 11) when she captured the $44,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap at Yonkers Raceway.
Itty Bitty, pictured victorious at Yonkers Raceway on January 11, 2019
After having started from Post 3 with Jason Bartlett in the sulky, Itty Bitty watched as Wishy Washy Girl took command from Post 5 around the opening turn. Bartlett wanted the lead, however, and pulled Itty Bitty entering the backstretch. The pair made the lead in a :27.4 opening quarter and the even-money favourite never looked back.
With Bartlett comfortable in the bike and with a good hold of her, Itty Bitty increased her margin to two and a half lengths past three-quarters. By the time she reached the top of the lane, she increased her advantage to four and a half. Itty Bitty cruised past the finish five and a quarter lengths clear of the field in 1:55.
Katz was quick to praise his team for Itty Bitty’s unlikely rise to the top.
“Andrew does a great job with her, as with all the horses I have with him,” Katz said. “He deserves a lot of the credit. To keep her sharp, keep her happy. He’s always on top of things. He’s probably the only trainer that talks to me every day and tells me what’s going on. [He’s a] very honest guy.
“The feedback is always good about her,” Katz continued. “She always tries. Every race she tries. She reflects the name; she’s not very big. She just has a big heart.”
Itty Bitty will try to double up in Yonkers’ distaff feature, as she is set to start from Post 7 in this week’s $44,000 handicap. With Bartlett back in the bike, the pair has been installed as the tepid 5-2 morning line favourite despite the wide assignment.
Itty Bitty’s competition will include last week’s runner up, Clear Idea, who will be making her second start off of a winter freshening and may be better poised to utilize her characteristic early speed. She’s 3-1 on the morning line for Matt Kakaley. Brazuca will ship in from the Meadowlands off of a third in the ‘Big M’s top class for distaffers on December 28 and has drawn Post 5. Ella Michelle, Culinary Delight, Amateur Hour, and Made Of Jewels As will complete the field.
“I’ve always had a positive outlook on her. I don’t want to get too ahead of myself, but last week she won and he never even popped the plugs and she won in hand,” Katz said. “I think she’ll be all right. She’ll probably be the favourite, so I’m sure she’ll be in play and we’ll hope for a decent trip. If you take off the gate, you’re seventh and where do you go from there?”
First post time on Friday is at 6:50 p.m.
(SOA of NY)