Kenny Platt and Cats Out Of The Bag marked the top score of 223 in the first round of the $25,000 Novice as the NCHA Denver Nationals opened on  June 23. The show continues through June 29.

Twenty-four horses marked 215 or better to advance to Saturday’s finals of the $25,000 Novice.

Cats Out Of The Bag was bred by Mark and Marsha Chestnut and is owned by Reed and Sheryl McClymont of Holdrege, Nebraska. The 8-year-old gelding is by High Brow Cat out of Lil Dream Catcher. a Grays Starlight mare that has produced earners of $94,000.

Platt, who was inducted into the NCHA Riders Hall of Fame three weeks ago, won the Idaho Classic on Cats Out Of The Bag in 2015. Cats Out Of The Bag has $31,629 in NCHA earnings.

Lawson Hadlock and Cartier Time marked the second high score of 219 in the go-round. The 10-year-old gelding by One Time Pepto out of CD Bright Lights, is owned by David Whitaker of Kaysville, Utah. He has earned over $32,000.

Two horses by Smooth As A Cat, Smooth Flow and Smooth Little Holly, marked 218.5 for the third high score in the go-round.

Smooth Flow is a 5-year-old gelding out of Dual Flo, owned by Robert Tregemba of Lawrence, Kansas, and ridden by Nate Miller.

Smooth Little Holly is an 11-year-old mare out of Holly O Lena owned by Layne Bartl of Trilby, Florida and ridden by Ben Roberson.