Kentucky Gal makes her American mark in Possibly Perfect win

Until Friday, Kentucky Gal had little to show for her American career aside from an allowance win at Santa Anita in April 2025.

In her second start of 2026, Kentucky Gal delivered a highlight performance in her 15th career start on Friday. Ridden by Antonio Fresu, Kentucky Gal ($18.60) closed from sixth in a field of nine fillies and mares to record a nose win over 5-1 Innovative in the $100,000 Possibly Perfect Stakes at Santa Anita.

The fifth choice in the betting, Kentucky Gal ran 1 1/4 miles on turf in 2:00.14 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 82.

Fresu had Kentucky Gal two-wide in stalking position for the first seven furlongs before urging the 5-year-old Irish-bred mare into contention on the turn. With a wide rally entering the stretch, Kentucky Gal was fifth with a furlong remaining, trailing by slightly more than three lengths. She closed well to edge Innovative.

The Mizen Queen, a 14-1 outsider who set early fractions of 23.90 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.06 for a half-mile, held third.

:: Play Santa Anita racing with confidence. Get DRF Past Performances, Clocker Reports, and more.

Jockey Kazushi Kimura, who finished fourth on 5-2 favorite Resolve, lodged an objection against Hector Berrios, who rode The Mizen Queen. The objection stemmed from an incident in the final sixteenth when The Mizen Queen drifted out and appeared to bump Resolve while leading. The stewards disallowed the claim of foul, stating the incident did not merit a disqualification.

Hey Jessie, winner of the Santa Barbara Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf on May 3, finished fifth, followed by Dreaming of Abba, Ulysses Rose, Watchtower, and Cailin Dana.

Kentucky Gal, by Churchill, has won four races, including two minor handicaps on turf at Galway Racecourse in Ireland in June and July of 2024. She has earned $148,175.

The Pleasantly Perfect Stakes was her ninth start in the United States, all since January 2025. Kentucky Gal was fourth in the 2025 Pleasantly Perfect after setting the pace. The win on Friday ended a four-race losing streak.

Kentucky Gal races for the partnership of John Rochfort, Ray Pagano, Anthony Gimagnani, Saul Gevertz, and Michael Nentwig, and is trained by Phil D’Amato.

Kennyten wins debut

In Friday’s fourth race, the 2-year-old colt Kennyten led throughout a maiden race at five furlongs to win his debut by an eye-catching 7 1/2 lengths.

Ridden by Ricky Gonzalez, Kennyten ($18.80) was timed in 56.99 seconds. Nayar, the 1-5 favorite, finished second, 6 1/2 lengths clear of 30-1 Boss Man Bolt.

Kennyten, owned by David and Holly Wilson and trained by Vladimir Cerin, was purchased for $140,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale of 2-year-olds in-training in Florida in March. Kennyten is by the freshman stallion Drain the Clock, the winner of four sprint stakes in 2022, including the Grade 1 Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont Park.

Nayar, owned by Amr Zedan and trained by Bob Baffert, was bought at the March sale in Ocala for $850,000.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.