Gallorette Handicap Could Be 'Catfight'

Precious Kitten, coming off a second-place finish in the April 14 Jenny Wiley Stakes (gr. IIT) at Keeneland, will face down A True Pussycat when a field of 11 fillies and mares goes postward for Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile Gallorette Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard.

A Kentucky homebred, owned by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsay, Precious Kitten (Catienus) is a half-sister to 2004 champion turf male Kitten’s Joy. She carries the high weight of 122 pounds under jockey Rafael Bejarano, who has been aboard for five of the 4-year-old filly’s twelve career starts. With earnings of $389,688 and three wins from 12 starts, she earned her most recent victory by a neck in the Mrs. Revere Stakes (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs last November for trainer Robert Frankel.   

A True Pussycat, trained by Tom Bush, makes her 27th start after finishing 5 1/2-lengths behind Indian Vale in the March 31 Next Move Handicap (gr. III) at Aqueduct. Formerly a $25,000 claimer, the 4-year-old daughter of Yes It’s True scored her last victory Jan. 31 in Aqueduct’s $65,000 Lady On The Run Stakes. Bred in Florida by Hobeau Farm, she now has five wins from 26 starts and has amassed career earnings of $219,795. She is owned by Peter Bradley III.    

Not to be overlooked in the field that includes Maryland Million Ladies Stakes winner Debbie Sue and Virginia Oaks winner Aunt Henny, is Todd Pletcher-trainee Roshani, who steps up in company after posting a 3 1/4-length victory in an April 26 allowance race at Keeneland. The lightly-raced 4-year-old daughter of Fantastic Light, bred in Kentucky by Mill Ridge Farm, is unbeaten at the 1 1/16-mile distance and has never finished worse than fourth in four career starts on the turf. Owned by Ben Mcelroy, she will start as one of two lightweights in the field carrying 111 pounds under jockey John Velazquez.

Gallorette Handicap (gr. IIIT, Race 7, Approximate post 2:06 p.m.), $100,000 for Fillies & Mares 3 & Up, 1 1/16 miles on the turf
1. A True Pussycat, Alan Garcia 116
2. Cozy Gain, Luis Garcia 113
3. Aunt Henny, Edgar Prado 116
4. Grigorieva, Ramon Dominguez 114
5. Precious Kitten, Rafael Bejarano 122
6. Trick's Pic, Garrett Gomez 114
7. High Moment, Erick Rodriguez 114
8. Debbie Sue, Jeremy Rose 113
9. Humoristic, Carlos Marquez, Jr. 114
10. Roshani, John Velazquez 111
11. Feelin' the Breeze, Horacio Karamanos 111