Homeister guides Ben's Cat to victory in Mister Diz

Ben's Cat raised his lifetime record to five wins without a loss when he won the $50,000 Mister Diz Stakes at Laurel Park. The son of Parker's Storm Cat, bred by owner-trainer King T. Leatherbury, covered the six-furlong distance in 1 minute, 9.08 seconds. Rosemary Homeister Jr. steered Ben's Cat wide from the start and kept after him in the lane to win his first try on the turf. Ben's Cat finished 11/2 lengths ahead of long shot Sandbaggin' Lover. Celtic Innis finished third. Ben's Cat paid $7.20. The exacta returned $115.80 and the triple paid $4,230. "He's an amazing horse," Homeister said. "He was 4-for-4 going into this race so the pressure was on, especially first time running on the turf course because it was a little soft. He actually handled it very well. Usually he's in front so he showed a little different way of running style, so hopefully that will help him down the road." Ben's Cat ran as part of an entry with multiple stakes winner Ah Day. "Ah Day didn't run his race but he's never been a turf horse," Leatherbury said. "He'll come around next time." Leatherbury indicated he has races in mind for both Ben's Cat and Ah Day on Maryland Million day. Ah Day finished seventh, beating post-time favorite Heros Reward by a head.