Home Run Kitten turns on the jets in Singletary

ARCADIA, Calif. - In the spring, Home Run Kitten closed from off the pace to finish second and third in turf stakes for 3-year-olds. On Saturday, the first day of summer, Home Run Kitten used the same closing kick to win the first stakes of his career in the $82,100 Singletary Stakes for 3-year-olds over a mile on turf.
Ridden by Joe Talamo, Home Run Kitten ($5.80) closed from eighth in a field of nine to win by three-quarters of a length over 13-1 Argyle Cut.

Winning trainer David Hofmans said that Home Run Kitten has changed since early spring. Hofmans saw clues of improvement when Home Run Kitten closed from eighth in a field of 12 to win an optional claimer over a mile on turf on May 18.

“I think that’s just him,” he said. “He’s maturing.”

Home Run Kitten won for the third time in his seven-race career in the Singletary. Talamo told Hofmans after the race that he feared he had left Home Run Kitten too much to do in the final quarter-mile.

Home Run Kitten was eighth with a quarter-mile to go, more than four lengths behind leader Sawyer’s Hill. Home School led with a furlong to go, with Home Run Kitten still trailing by 2 1/2 lengths. In the final furlong, Home Run Kitten caught the eye with a rally on the outside.

Home School finished third, followed by Forever Juanito, Toowindytohaulrox, Sawyer’s Hill, Aotearoa, Reno Rebel and Frensham.

Home Run Kitten, by Kitten’s Joy, races for Tarabilia Farms. The colt has earned $151,800.

Hofmans said in the winner’s circle that Home Run Kitten will start at Del Mar, but may pass the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes over a mile on turf on July 17 in favor of the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap over 1 1/16 miles on turf on Aug. 9.