Stephanie's Kitten springs upset in Alcibiades

Stephanie's Kitten took the lead in the stretch and held on to win the $400,000 Darley Alcibiades Stakes on opening day at Keeneland.

The 2-year-old filly defeated Heart of Destiny by 1½ lengths Friday, with Putthebabiesdown third.

Stephanie's Kitten, sent off at 9-1 odds by a record fall meet first-day crowd of 19,026, returned $21.60, $10.40 and $6.80. Ridden by John Velazquez, the winner covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.12 on the fast Polytrack surface.

The win was a first in the Alcibiades for owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Wayne Catalano.

With the win, Stephanie's Kitten earned an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies next month at Churchill Downs.

Heart of Destiny paid $14 and $9.20, and Putthebabiesdown paid $10.20 to show.

Earlier, Hoofit earned a trip to the Breeders' Cup Sprint with a photo finish nose victory over Aikenite in the $175,000 Phoenix Stakes.

The 11-1 shot was the second winner of the day for Graham Motion, the trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom. Motion's Sweet Seventeen won the fifth race.

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