Oasis Racing Stables’ WILDCAT BETTIE B (Meadowlake) was able to keep a
talented field of three-year-old fillies at bay Friday to wire the $125,000
Miss
Preakness S. (G3) at Pimlico. Celestial Legend (City Zip) jumped to the early
lead, but was not able to hold on to that advantage as Wildcat Bettie B went up
to complete the first quarter in :22 4/5. Ardmore Prospect (Allen’s
Prospect) raced just to the outside in second while Press Camp (Comic Strip) loomed in
third on the rail.
Wildcat Bettie B shook free of her rivals shortly thereafter, having opened
up a three-length margin going four furlongs in :45 2/5, and never looked back
while completing the six-furlong affair in 1:10 over a fast track under jockey
Ramon Dominguez.
“She ran very well and Ramon rode a great race,” trainer Larry Jones said.
“She broke good and he went ahead and sent her on her way. She’s been keeping
company with good horses. And we think she’s a really nice filly.”
Wildcat Bettie B left the gate at 5-2 to return $7.40, $3.60 and $2.80
while leading exotics of $28.60 (exacta), $50.20 (trifecta) and $94.80 for the
3-1-2-7 superfecta ($1). Press Camp was two lengths back in second to give back $4.40 and
$3.40 at 7-2 with G City Gal (Elusive Quality) another five lengths back to return $2.80 for the
place as the 6-5 favorite. My Lucky Free (Mazel Trick), Ardmore Prospect,
Celestial Legend and Miss Lina (Two Punch) rounded out the order of finish.
“I really wasn’t expecting to be on the lead,” Dominguez commented. “A couple
of horses that were on the lead got shuffled. She was real game. She was real
comfortable on the lead and did as she pleased.”
Bred in Kentucky by Barry Becker & Judith Becker, Wildcat Bettie B is the first registered foal out of the
multiple stakes-winning mare One Number Short (Katowice), whose most recent
offspring is a 2006 colt by Free at Last. Wildcat Bettie B, who was purchased
for $42,000 at the 2004 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, extends her record to
7-4-0-1, including a score in the Dixie Belle S., with $163,420 in earnings.