Finding the Fountain of Youth in Maryland

The legendary Fountain of Youth is supposed to be down here in Florida, but Ben's Cat apparently has his own private pipeline. The seemingly ageless 10-year-old was back in action in today's Jim McKay Turf Sprint, a race he has all but owned for over half a decade. When Ben's Cat won his first Jim McKay back in 2011, two of today's rivals hadn't even been foaled yet---including 4-5 favorite Rocket Heat---and another two were still nursing mother's milk. It didn't matter a whit to The Cat, who put the young whippersnappers in their place by a measured neck as he took his fifth Jim McKay in the last six years.

By this time, it's pretty obvious that The Cat only needs a jockey to satisfy the requirements put up by mere humans. Other than that, it's "I've got this, bub---you just hang on for the ride." If he misses regular pilot Julian Pimentel, he isn't showing it. Trevor McCarthy, now 2-for-2 with the gelding, already has the right idea; just point The Cat at a hole and stay with him. He'll do the rest.

Whatever's in The Cat's water, he's apparently sharing it with trainer King Leatherbury, who was sporting his very own Ben's Cat tie as he posed with his star in the Pimlico winner's circle. When asked whether the gelding might try for a fifth straight Jim McKay next year, Leatherbury grinned and said, "Why not?"

Why not, indeed?