Kitten shows her claws in Gamely

Precious Kitten stretches clear to turn the tables on Rutherienne (Benoit Photo)

Lael Stables’ PRECIOUS KITTEN (Catienus) pounced on the pacesetting Diamond
Diva (GB) (Dansili [GB]) turning for home and strolled to a convincing 2
1/4-length tally in Monday’s $283,000
Gamely S.
(G1).
In the process, she handed trainer Bobby Frankel a record eighth victory
in the event for turf distaffers.

Precious Kitten enjoyed a perfect stalking trip in second,
all the while watching Diamond Diva sprint to a daylight lead through frenetic
splits of :22 1/5, :45 4/5 and 1:08 4/5. Nearing the far turn, Rafael Bejarano
gave Precious Kitten her cue, and the dark bay mare smoothly closed in on the
leader. Precious Kitten blew past Diamond Diva in the stretch to stamp her
authority, finishing nine furlongs on the firm turf in 1:45 1/5 to record her
third career Grade 1 tally. The 6-5 favorite returned $4.40, $2.60 and $2.10
while spearheading the $4.80 exacta ($1).

Diamond Diva held on for second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of the mildly rallying
Rutherienne (Pulpit). The runner-up gave back $3 and $2.20 as the 2-1 second
choice, and Rutherienne yielded $2.10 to show as the third choice, also at 2-1.
It was another 3 1/4 lengths back to the 14-1 Lavender Sky (Mt. Livermore), who
garnered fourth from the 19-1 Solva (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]) in a photo-finish.
Interestingly, the five Gamely contestants finished in accordance with their
respective odds.