Ocala Stud’s freshman sire Kantharos, an undefeated multiple graded stakes-winning juvenile by Lion Heart, sired his first winner Saturday, July 26th when his 2-year-old filly Katie’s Kiss drew off by 5 ½ lengths to win a $43,000 Maiden Special Weight gate to wire at Gulfstream Park.

Trained by David Fawkes, Katie’s Kiss broke sharply and never looked back, stopping the clock in 51.67 seconds for 4 ½ furlongs. The bay filly was bred in Florida by Francis & Barbara Vanlangendonck, and she hails from the stakes-producing Boston Harbor mare Sydney’s Kiss. Katie’s Kiss earned $26,860 for the win for owners Stonestreet Stables LLC, who also campaigned her sire Kantharos on the racetrack.

Kantharos was one of the top 2-year-olds in the country in 2010. The handsome chestnut broke his maiden by 11 ¾ lengths at first asking in :57 4/5 seconds at Churchill, before dominating the Bashford Manor S. (G3) by 9 ½ lengths in his next start. He went on to win the Saratoga Special S. (G2) in another dominating performance, drawing off by 7 ¼ lengths and completing an undefeated and untested juvenile campaign.

Kantharos stood the 2014 breeding season at Ocala Stud in Ocala, FL for a fee of $5,000 stands and nurses.