Precious Kitten Wins Rematch
Bobby Frankel Trained Filly Raced for First Time for the Jacksons
Precious Kitten, trained by Bobby Frankel, started for the first time since being sold to Roy and Gretchen Jackson and won a rematch against Rutherienne.
Precious Kitten made the Gamely Stakes, graded IT (May 26 at Hollywood Park, Inglewood, California) her playground in her first start since being sold to Roy and Gretchen Jackson's Lael Stables. The five-year-old, trained by Bobby Frankel, took on Rutherienne in a rematch and beat the Christophe Clement-trained filly, who finished third, as well as Diamond Diva by 2-1/4 lengths.
Less Traffic May Have Helped Kitten
Lavender Sky and Solva went fourth and fifth, respectively, in the small field, a factor which may have helped Precious Kitten, a daughter of Catienus, out of Kitten's First, by Lear Fan, and a half-sister to the champion Kitten's Joy.
In Precious Kitten's previous match up with Rutherienne, the Apr.12 Jenny Wiley Stakes, graded IIT, run on turf at Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, Kentucky, she ran wide and lost ground to the winner, who beat Stormy West in a close finish.
New Owners Raced Barbaro
Roy and Gretchen Jackson experienced the Thoroughbred limelight when their colt Barbaro entered the Kentucky Derby as an unbeaten in 2006 and won that encounter. However, the Dynaformer son fractured a hind leg in the Preakness Stakes and was euthanized eight months later when laminitis complications set in following the successful healing of the broken bones.
The Jacksons chose a fight for life for Barbaro that received picks and pans, but they never wavered in their decision and were satisfied with giving Barbaro what chance there might have been to survive the difficult circumstances.
Precious Kitten Voted 2007 Champion Turf Female
Frankel coached Precious Kitten to four wins and four seconds in nine graded races last season. The filly was first in voting for national champion turf female and won the Eclipse Award in that division in 2007. Her wins included the Matriarch Stakes at Hollywood and the John C. Mabee Handicap at California's Del Mar race course.
Breeder/owners Sarah and Ken Ramsey put Precious Kitten in Frankel's barn in late 2006.
Kitten Wins Kicking Away in Lane
Jockey Rafael Bejarano positioned Precious Kitten behind the Gamely leader, Diamond Diva, who had raced twice to victory since arriving in the United States and was piloted by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith.
Smith said his game plan was to try to steal the win from the front because there was little speed in the field of five. His mount was taking on nine furlongs for the first time. She had been running at a mile distance.
Corey Nakatani, riding Rutherienne, said Precious Kitten kicked away to lengthen her lead when he tried to urge Rutherienne to give chase.
Time was 1:45.23 for the winners.
