When you’re hot, you’re hot. Kenny Platt, fresh from his win at the NCHA Super Stakes, marked 221 on Little Lenas Cat to win the first title of the 6666 Ranch NCHA Western National Championships in Denver Thursday. Both Little Lenas Cat and Super Stakes champ Moms Stylish Player are owned by Robert Tregemba of Castle Rock, Colorado.
Little Lenas Cat was bred by Gilbert Cattle Co. by Smart Little Lena out of Cassies Kit Cat. Cassies Kit Cat earned $45,000 and has also produced 2013 Super Stakes champion Hes A Hot Cat (by Spots Hot).
Platt has been an Open limited age finalist on Little Lenas Cat at a string of shows including the Idaho Classic, Pacific Coast Classic, and the Western States Fall Derby. Tregemba has also had success with the 7-year-old gelding, including an Amateur championship at last year’s Western States Fall Classic.
Little Lenas Cat has earned more than $80,000. Platt passed the million-dollar mark in career earnings at this year’s Super Stakes.
Scooter McGavin, ridden by Cullen Chartier, and This Cats Phat, ridden by Mike Wood, tied for the reserve championship at the Western Nationals with 219 points.
Scooter McGavin, a 7-year-old gelding by Smart Lil Scoot, won the Mercuria NCHA World Series of Cutting finals at San Antonio with Chartier this spring. He is owned by Tom and Hilary Watson of Westwood, Kansas.
This Cats Phat is owned by Butlin Ranches of Edmonton, Alberta. The 8-year-old gelding is by WR This Cats Smart. Wood was the top qualifier for the $15,000 Novice on Christine King’s Buzzted, by Light N Lena, who finished fifth in the finals.
Meanwhile, in the $5,000 Novice…
Ichi Sangria and Guy Woods scored 222 for a half-point lead over Kenny Platt and Indian Clay, in the first round of the $5,000 Novice on Thursday. Twenty-six horses marked 216 or better to advance to Saturday’s finals.
Ichi Sangria is a 6-year-old mare bred and owned by Jo Ellard’s EE Ranches. She is by Cat Ichi out of Scratchin, an $80,000 earner that won the NCHA Eastern Nationals Open title in 2004.
Ichi Sangria is in record-breaking territory. She has already won an unprecedented three NCHA National championships, taking the $5,000 Novice at Eastern Nationals last year, and both Novice divisions at Eastern Nationals this spring.