Trainer Wayne Catalano expressed interest in a trip to New York with reigning Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Aloha West, eyeing a possible start in the Grade 1, $1 million Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap on June 11 at Belmont Park.
Owned by Aron Wellman's Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, the Maryland-bred son of Hard Spun made his 5-year-old debut when third in the Grade 1 Churchill Downs on the May 7 Kentucky Derby undercard.
Aloha West broke from the rail and maintained close inside position down the backstretch as Jackie's Warrior led the field gate-to-wire. With Jackie's Warrior well clear in the stretch drive, Aloha West battled with Reinvestment Risk and just missed second by one length.
“He went on the dead rail and got pushed a little early,” Catalano said. “It was a tough race. The only horse that went up the rail the last eighth of the mile was the Derby winner [Rich Strike]. From what I saw, everyone else was on the middle of the racetrack.”
The Met Mile is expected to come up tough with undefeated Grade 1-winner Flightline targeting the prestigious stallion-making race. Speaker's Corner, who registered a 114 Beyer Speed Figure in the Grade 1 Carter at Aqueduct, also is targeting the Met Mile.
Prior to his Breeders' Cup Sprint score in November, Aloha West was a two-time allowance optional claiming winner at Saratoga, where Catalano said he plans on sending a handful of horses for the upcoming 2022 meet. Aloha West has posted a 10-5-2-1 record with earnings in excess of $1.3 million.
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