Charming Kitten looks imposing in Allen Jerkens Stakes
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Todd Pletcher won 15 stakes races last winter at Gulfstream Park, including the Grade 1 Florida Derby with Materiality. But none of those victories may have meant as much to Pletcher as the one Unitarian posted in the inaugural running of the two-mile Allen Jerkens Stakes, a race named after the Hall of Fame horseman who died less than seven weeks after presenting the trophy in an emotional ceremony in the winner’s circle.
Pletcher will try to win the $100,000 Allen Jerkens again Saturday with Charming Kitten, who will carry the high weight of 123 pounds and figures to be an odds-on favorite against eight rivals.
Charming Kitten became a graded stakes winner when he rallied to a neck decision over Kaigun in the Grade 3, 1 1/2-mile W.L. McKnight Handicap on Dec. 26. He’s also a proven commodity at two miles, having captured the Belmont Gold Cup 18 months ago.
“I hold this race in high regard,” said Pletcher. “Like I said last year, there are a lot of big races at Gulfstream, and this is one I’d love to win.”
Pletcher said Charming Kitten seems to be flourishing since winning the McKnight.
“He ran great in the McKnight and seems like he came out of it even better,” said Pletcher. “He’s a solid, honest horse, and it’s great to know that he’s got a win at two miles. We’re looking forward to defending our title.”
The connections of St. Albans Boy and Roccia d’Oro, fourth and fifth in the McKnight, are hoping that the added distance might make a difference in Saturday’s rematch with Charming Kitten.
St. Albans Boy got shuffled back near the rear of the pack midway through the McKnight before finishing with good energy near the inside, although he never seriously threatened the two leaders. Roccia d’Oro could not kick on with St. Albans Boy down the stretch while making just his third start in this country and his first in a graded stakes.
Morning Calm finished eighth in the McKnight but, like Charming Kitten, has valuable experience at two miles, having finished fifth in last year’s Belmont Gold Cup.
Mucho Mas Macho has not won in 15 starts since upsetting the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale at odds of 41-1 three years ago.
Allen Jerkens, Race 9
Key Contenders
Charming Kitten (Last 3 Beyers: 102-93-93)
◗ The 102 Beyer Speed Figure he received for winning the McKnight was his best in 26 career starts.
St. Albans Boy (Last 3 Beyers: 96-93-93)
◗ Like Charming Kitten, he received a career-best Beyer (93) in the McKnight, although his most impressive performance may have come Oct. 31, when he won a three-horse photo in the 1 1/2-mile Laurel Turf Cup.
Roccia d’Oro (Last 3 Beyers: 95-91-90)
◗ Like most of the trainers with horses in the Jerkens, Tom Albertrani is uncertain whether his colt will stay the two miles.
“I guess you never know until you try it,” Albertrani said. “I don’t know what this horse’s best distance is, but he sure seems to handle a mile and a half, and I’m sure like any of the others, it’s all the same.”