One man who loved it more than most was Derek Iceton of Tara Stud in County Meath. Iceton bought the dam [Dettoria (GB) (Declaration Of War)] of the Grade I-bound performer for just 12,000gns at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale in 2018. 

Dettoria is still based at Tara Stud and has a Space Blues (Ire) colt at foot. She is happily reported to be back in foal to the young Darley stallion by Iceton, who describes America as being a lucky place for him. 

That is largely down to the fact that Tara Stud graduate River Boyne (Ire) recorded his best days on a racecourse in America, notably when landing a Grade I at Santa Anita before returning home to embark on his stallion career, where he currently stands at the Meath outfit for €5,000. 

Iceton is hoping that there will be more Grade I riches to be enjoyed with Selenaia and explained what led him to roll the dice on Dettoria for what looks a bargain price now. 

He said, “I love buying mares off top breeders. Last year for example, I bought a lovely mare off Lady Bamford. They're the type of people I try and buy mares from because I know there will be a few half-sisters floating around the system.”

“Dettoria has a colt foal by Space Blues and, the foal was so good, I took the mare back to him. She's back in foal with Space Blues. It's something I never normally do but, because the foal was so nice, I went back. 

“Redpender Stud has the Earthlight (Ire) yearling [bought for 78,000gns as a foal] and they are more than happy with him. He was a lovely foal now to be honest. I think he's going to Book 1. The Golden Horn (GB) [bought for €50,000 as a yearling by Gerry Hogan] two-year-old filly  is going to Henry de Bromhead.”

He added, “I've been very lucky with America and very fortunate with Red Baron's Farm as well. I hope they will come back and buy a River Boyne off me this year. Interestingly, in the race that Selenaia won last week, I also sold the third Paris Secret (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) at the Goffs Open Yearling Sale for €8,000. It's strange that two fillies who were in the same field at one stage in their lives went on to finish first and third at Santa Anita.”

Selenaia carried the increasingly-recognisable colours of the Eclipse Thoroughbreds to victory for trainer Jonathan Thomas. Although the ownership group tends to shop relatively infrequently at the major yearling sales in Britain and Ireland, its strike-rate is something to behold, with Selenaia a 85,000gns purchase from Baroda Stud at Tattersalls Book 2 in 2021. 

The black, light blue and white colours of Eclipse is perhaps best known in Europe for being carried by Gavin Cromwell's Queen Mary winner Quick Suzy (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}) in 2021 and, according to Aron Wellman, the man behind the ownership vehicle, there could be more to shout about at the royal meeting next week. 

Reflecting on Selenaia, he said, “We've dabbled in the yearling market in Europe and fortunately we're starting to hit our stride. We bought one yearling at Tattersalls a couple of years ago with the goal of bringing her to America and thankfully Selenaia delivered. She showed brilliance in her training and it translated to the racetrack which is a pleasure to see. 

Midwestern Invader Selenaia Proves Much The Best As She Rallies For 3 ¼ Length Win In Grade III, $100,000 Honeymoon Stakes pic.twitter.com/6beTLDAvoi

— Santa Anita Park (@santaanitapark) June 11, 2023

“We're going to take a deep breath but, based on that performance and that she has now stretched out to nine furlongs, we'll take a look at some options at Saratoga with her and potentially look at going back to California to Del Mar. At this point, there's no ceiling to her and she's completely unexposed in this country.”

Wellman added, “We're really fortunate to be in the position we are in ahead of Royal Ascot. Last year, before we bought Selenaia, which was a one off, Amy Murphy in England did a really nice job with a filly called Manhattan Jungle (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}), who has since become a stakes winner and Group-placed in the States for us. She took us to Ascot last year.

“This time, we went back and bought three yearlings, and two of the three have run. One is called Passionately (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) [cost 55,000gns from Baroda Stud at Book 2], who won very well at Wetherby and goes to the Albany and the other filly, Geologist (GB) (Territories {Ire}) [cost 35,000gns from Galloway Stud at the Somerville Sale], was just beaten on debut at Redcar. We're going to take a swing at the Queen Mary with her. Two of the three yearlings we purchased are Royal Ascot candidates.”

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“These two mares represent active families competing at the highest level of racing,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Nest is responsible for some of the most dominating performances of the season, prevailing in [last] Saturday's GI Alabama at Saratoga by 4 1/4 lengths. The fact that Mo Donegal and Nest ran 1-2 in the Belmont speaks to their quality. We are proud that both Nest and Mo Donegal are graduates of Keeneland's September Yearling Sale and excited to offer their dams, who are carrying full siblings to these Grade I winners, at the November Sale.”

Marion Ravenwood also is the dam of 2021 GI Santa Anita H. winner Idol (Curlin), who set Churchill Downs' 1 3/16-mile track record in 2020; and Lost Ark (Violence), a 5 1/2-length maiden winner in his career debut in July at Belmont. Lost Ark is entered in Saturday's Sapling S. at Monmouth Park.

Callingmissbrown also is the dam of the impressive 2-year-old 'TDN Rising Star' filly Prank (Into Mischief), who earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure in her career debut at Saratoga last month.

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The overwhelming 1-5 favorite wasn't off to the smoothest of beginnings, bobbling slightly and bumping with longshot Nostalgic (Medaglia d'Oro) at the start. It didn't seem to matter one bit once the 1 1/4-mile journey was officially underway with Nest finding a perfect spot in a stalking third rounding the clubhouse turn.

Up a slot into second behind longshot leader She's Keen (Keen Ice) and traveling like a winner every step, Nest hit the front outside the five-sixteenths marker with jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. taking multiple looks in the rearview mirror. He had a very good view of the aforementioned Oaks winner, who was beginning to make her move at the quarter pole and the stage was set for the highly anticipated rubber match. Or so it seemed.

Nest floated out Secret Oath about six wide at the top of the stretch and absolutely exploded once straightened from there, displaying an electrifying turn of foot to win going away by a geared-down 4 1/4 lengths.

“That was a special performance today,” winning trainer Todd Pletcher said. “To see her come back and it seemed like she hardly drew a deep breath. I was a little concerned at the start, she got away in a bit of a tangle. I was hoping we'd get a good position and we ended up getting the position that we wanted. It was a little hairy for the first couple of strides, but after that it was all her.”

A jaw-dropping winner of Keeneland's GI Central Bank Ashland S. Apr. 8, Nest was two lengths behind Secret Oath as the favorite on the first Friday in May beneath the Twin Spires May 6. She showed her class after stumbling at the start with another second-place finish, this time against the boys, in the final leg of the Triple Crown in the GI Belmont S. June 11. Nest entered the Alabama following a 12 1/4-length powerhouse victory over Secret Oath in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks at the Spa July 23.

“It's at the point now where that's what you expect from her,” Pletcher said. “It takes a little while to build a resume like that, but she's run well in every start of her life and I thought this was a special performance today. We've run a lot of horses in the Belmont and I don't think I've ever had one come out as well as she did.”

Nest was also under consideration for another shot at males in next Saturday's GI Runhappy Travers S. before landing on the Alabama.

“This is a really, really good filly and we put her in the right spot today,” winning co-owner Mike Repole said. “I know everyone wanted the Travers, but she's an Eclipse Award winner now, I think, and I think this is the right route for her and we did what was right for the horse.”

As for what's next, Pletcher added, “Obviously, the Breeders' Cup is the main target, so now we have to figure out if we want to run once in between now and then or how we'll do it. We'll assess how she comes out of it first and come up with a game plan.”

Pedigree Notes:

One of Curlin's 18 Grade I winners, $350,000 Keeneland September graduate Nest is the second straight daughter of the two-time Horse of the Year to annex the Alabama, joining her stablemate and 2021 champion 3-year-old filly Malathaat, who is also out of an A.P. Indy mare.

Curlin's fellow top-level winners Clairiere and Paris Lights are out of mares by top broodmare sire Bernardini, and Nest's stakes-winning dam Marion Ravenwood is bred on the same cross as Bernardini, being out of a Quiet American mare herself.

In addition to Nest and 2021 GI Santa Anita H. hero Idol, Marion Ravenwood is responsible for $275,000 KEESEP '21 yearling Lost Ark (Violence), who took his unveiling by 5 1/2 lengths for Pletcher and Harrell Ventures earlier this summer at Belmont. Out of GSW/GISP and $2.5-million FTKNOV seller Andujar, Marion Ravenwood was bred to Curlin for 2023.

Saturday, Saratoga
ALABAMA S.-GI, $600,000, Saratoga, 8-20, 3yo, f, 1 1/4m, 2:03.14, ft.
1–NEST, 121, f, 3, by Curlin
       1st Dam: Marion Ravenwood (SW, $112,598), by A.P. Indy
       2nd Dam: Andujar, by Quiet American
       3rd Dam: Nureyev's Best, by Nureyev
($350,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House; B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.. $330,000. Lifetime Record: 9-6-2-1, $1,735,550. *1/2 to Dr Jack (Pioneerof the Nile), MSP, $156,155; Full to Idol, GISW, $426,964. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Secret Oath, 121, f, 3, by Arrogate
       1st Dam: Absinthe Minded (MSW & MGISP, $607,747), by Quiet American
       2nd Dam: Rockford Peach, by Great Above
       3rd Dam: Strawberry Skyline, by Hatchet Man
O-Briland Farm; B-Briland Farm, Robert & Stacy Mitchell (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. $120,000.
3–Goddess of Fire, 121, f, 3, by Mineshaft
       1st Dam: Feel That Fire (SW, $147,280), by Lightnin N Thunder
       2nd Dam: Ubetwereven, by French Deputy
       3rd Dam: Raysor Lake, by Private Account
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Red Oak Stable (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $72,000.
Margins: 4 1/4, 2, 2. Odds: 0.35, 4.80, 22.00.
Also Ran: Skratch Kat, Gerrymander, Nostalgic, She's Keen.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; Robert LaPenta, Gainesway, Winchell Thoroughbreds & Stonestreet Stables; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (KY); T-Todd Pletcher.

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“Sean brings to Eclipse an extraordinary depth of experience in all realms of the thoroughbred business” Eclipse President and Founder, Aron Wellman stated. “As Eclipse continues to grow

domestically and abroad in Europe and Australia, it is essential that we continue to add personnel capable of contributing to our partner's world-class racing experience and for us to be able to sustain the level of success we've established for our partners in our first 10 years of operation.”

Tugel, 38, served a seven-year stint at Hill 'n Dale Farm as a Foreman and Assistant Broodmare Manager before transitioning to Winstar Farm for nine years, ultimately serving as Director of Bloodstock and Assistant Racing Manager. Since 2020 Tugel has served as the Director of Stallion Sales and Recruitment for Gainesway Farm.

“The Eclipse brand has become synonymous with success and winning. I am excited to join the world class team that Aron and Brian Spearman have built and to play a role in advancing the

vision of Eclipse with their partners,” Tugel said.

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The nine-furlong test for 3-year-olds is the next local prep on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, awarding the top-four finishers 10-4-2-1 qualifying points toward the Grade 1, $3 million Kentucky Derby on May 7 at Churchill Downs.

Eclipse Thoroughbreds and Gary Barber's God of Love, trained by Hall of Famer Mark Casse, is already a stakes winner over turf and Tapeta in only four starts. Two starts after capturing the Cup and Saucer in October on the Woodbine turf, the chestnut colt provided his young sire Cupid with a first graded stakes winner when taking the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Grey on Nov. 28 on the Woodbine Tapeta.

“He's a pretty good horse. If he can have the same type of form on dirt that he does on the synthetic, he'll be a force. In his last race, he ran a 4.5 Thorograph number, which puts you right there,” Casse said.

One start prior to the Grey, God of Love finished a troubled fifth in the nine-furlong Coronation Futurity on the Woodbine Tapeta after having to steady several times.

“He was the favorite in his start before the Grey and I awarded him worst trip of the year of any horse I ran last year,” Casse said. “It was a terrible, terrible trip. He checked about three or four times.”

God of Love joined Casse's winter division at Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, where he has worked three times since the Grey. The Withers will be God of Love's first race outside of his native Canada.

“I think he'll end up being champion 2-year-old in Canada. The reason I sent him to Toronto was because he was a Canadian-bred,” Casse said.

Bred in Ontario by William D. Graham, God of Love is out of the Three Wonders mare No Wonder, a half-sister to Grade 1-winner Weemissfrankie, who also produced Canadian-bred stakes-winner Muskoka Wonder.

God of Love was a $100,000 purchase at the OBS March Sale, where he was consigned by Golden Thoroughbreds Training and Sales.

Other probable candidates for the Withers include Courvoisier, Smarten Up and Cooke Creek – the top-three finishers of the Jerome – as well as January 2 maiden winner Constitutionlawyer.

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Originally designated as a Grade 1 on turf, the eventual graded status of the American Oaks will be decided in the coming days by the American Graded Stakes Committee.

Comfortable and well within herself on the lead, Queen Goddess was challenged briefly approaching the furlong pole by her McCarthy stablemate Nicest, but Queen Goddess was simply too much on the day.

A close third in a second condition allowance going 1 1/8 miles on turf at Del Mar Nov. 25, Queen Goddess was off at 14-1 in a field of 10 sophomore fillies and paid $31.20, $12.80 and $7.00.

“She showed me a lot today,” said Hernandez. “She broke really sharp. She came to run today because out of the gate, I felt that she was trying to run to get the lead and she got comfortable there and (the other horses) let me go. She held on to the lead pretty good. Around the quarter pole when she felt the other filly (stablemate Nicest), I actually felt her too, and in listening to the crowd, I could tell the other filly was coming so we started working really hard and she just kept going, she never stopped. She's a really nice filly.

“When you watch a lot of people like today, you just feel different, you feel good and I just wanted to win a race today on opening day. I'd like to thank Michael McCarthy and the owners for the opportunity, I really appreciate it.”

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and TOLO Thoroughbreds, Inc., Queen Goddess a Kentucky-bred filly by Empire Maker, picked up her first stakes win today and improved her overall mark to 6-3-1-1.  With the winner's share of $180,000, she hiked her earnings to $303,080.

Off at 7-1 with John Velazquez, Irish-bred Nicest checked in 3 ¼ lengths in front of Fluffy Socks and paid $8.40 and $5.00.

With Mike Smith up, Fluffy Socks never threatened for the win but finished three lengths in front of longshot Ivy League.  Off at 6-1, Fluffy Socks paid $4.80 to show.

The disappointment in the race was heavily favored Going Global.  Off at 4-5 with Flavien Prat, she knifed her way into contention five sixteenths from home, but came up empty in the drive, finishing sixth in her first try on dirt.

Fractions on the race were 23.30, 47.62, 1:12.87 and 1:38.14.

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“After 50 years of doing this, we're a bit light on horses and we don't see as much action as we used to, so to win a race like this, it's the pinnacle of my career,” said the 65-year-old, who appeared visibly moved during the post-race interview. “Given the limited opportunities that we have right now, this ranks as one of the best.”

Following Aloha West's thrilling Sprint victory, the press was quick to point out that the New Orleans native, already a three-time Breeders' Cup-winning trainer, was collecting his fourth title at the Championships. Trumpeting his prior wins with 2006 and 2009 GI Juvenile Fillies scorers Dreaming of Anna (Rahy) and She Be Wild (Offlee Wild)–both subsequent Eclipse Award champions–in addition to 2011 GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Stephanie's Kitten (Kitten's Joy), it was as if the years since had passed unmolested. But in fact, they hadn't.

Catalano enjoyed banner seasons in 2013 and 2014, highlighted by Grade I winners Stephanie's Kitten and Room Service (More Than Ready), in addition to GSWs Imposing Grace (Empire Maker), Title Contender (Pulpit), Solitary Ranger (U S Ranger), I'm Already Sexy (Ready's Image), Poker Player (Harlan's Holiday), Aurelia's Belle (Lemon Drop Kid) and West Coast Belle (Tapit). The business continued to hum along into the summer of 2014, but with just days to go to his 58th birthday, the horseman came down with acute respiratory distress syndrome after contracting Asian Avian Influenza A, which precipitated an epic battle with pneumonia. After spending 22 days in Saint Alexius Medical Center's intensive care, of which nine days were spent under an induced coma, he was finally released to go home.

“Fortunately, I had really great help at that time,” he recalled. “And the horses were really running well. During that time, I won my 1000th race at Arlington and the 2,500th race in my career. The barn was just rolling.”

According to Catalano, during his stint in the hospital, a friend and fellow horseman took to saying, “'Look this guy is in a coma and he's still kicking our ass!'”

For many, the frightening episode might have proven life-altering, however, Catalano admits that his 'coming to Jesus' moment never really materialized.

“It didn't affect the size of my operation, but you know, it should have,” he said. “Because I really thought I was going to cut down after that.”

He added with a laugh, “Any thoughts about cutting back to one division went away in about one week. I went back to the same thing. It didn't stop me. I just kept going.”

Winning connections after Aloha West's Sprint win | Horsephotos

Building on Bedrock

Catalano received his earliest racetrack education under the guidance of legendary horseman and Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg. He had spent much of his youth around horses, thanks to the influence of his 2 1/2-year older brother, Joe, who would go on to become a jockey. Working as a groom and walking hots for Van Berg, he subsequently got his start as a jockey as soon as he turned 16 in 1974. And Catalano quickly rose through the ranks while riding first call for the Hall of Famer and later for Frank Kirby at Hawthorne Race Course. As a rider, Catalano won 1,792 races throughout his career, highlighted by the 1977 season when he won 349 races, second only behind Steve Cauthen while finishing ahead of a slew of future Hall of Famers, including Chris McCarron, Laffit Pincay, Jr., Angel Cordero, Jr. and Eddie Delahoussaye. He hung up his silks in 1983.

“My knee started to aggravate me a little bit near the end and the [quality] of my mounts fell off a bit too,” he said, explaining the decision to stop riding. “I won a lot of races, titles and did really well, but I didn't have as many stakes horses as I would have liked. I was also getting a little older and I wasn't comfortable anymore.

“My knee was bugging me, but more importantly, my heart got weaker,” he said with a chuckle. “If your heart's not in it, you just got to quit.”

Whether by design or scripted by fate, Catalano had already given himself a solid foothold into the next chapter of his career as a trainer. During his tenure with Van Berg, Catalano spent much of his time learning the basics of horsemanship, even during his days as a jockey.

“It didn't matter what you were there for, Jack would teach you horsemanship,” he explained. “So, I learned how to be a horseman first. Being a jockey came afterward. Nearing the end of my riding career, I wanted to be a trainer so I started hanging around the barn, coming back after my rides and learning the ropes. I didn't just ride horses and go home, like most jockeys do.”

Underscoring the importance of learning the tools of the trade from such an iconic horseman, Catalano explained, “Jack taught me hard work and horsemanship. They are the main ingredients that I picked up from him. You have to know how to take care of a horse, first and foremost. And I had the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest trainers of all time.”

Wayne Catalano & GSW Dreaming of Liz | Horsephotos

Ebb and Flow

A considerable amount of Catalano's early success can be pinpointed through his association with oil magnate John Franks, a five-time Eclipse Award winning owner. Armed with a battalion of horses up until his death in 2004, the Louisiana mogul proved to be a valuable source of horse-power for several trainers around the country, including Catalano.

“When I went out on my own, Jack gave me a few horses and then I was introduced to John Franks. I won my first stakes race with him with Croupier Lady. We had tremendous success together,” he said.

Another owner that helped expand Catalano's operation was Chicago businessman Frank Calabrese. The often tempestuous partnership–which was highlighted by a slew of stakes winners, including champion juvenile filly Dreaming of Anna and MGSW Lewis Michael (Rahy)–ended in 2009.

“A big reason I was in Chicago so long was because of [leading Arlington owner] Frank [Calabrese],” said Catalano. “So, when we parted company, my situation in Illinois wasn't really beneficial anymore.

“I had some of my clients who didn't want to race up there. It soon became obvious it just wasn't where I needed to be at that point in time, so we moved our base of operations to Kentucky. And we've been here every year since.”

Having enjoyed a blistering record in Illinois, which included 11 training titles at the recently shuttered Arlington Park, a trio at Hawthorne Race Course and two at Sportsman's Park, Catalano finally found the rocks when transitioning his fleet to Kentucky.

“Leaving my home base of Chicago and moving to Kentucky, we did well but things got a little bit lighter,” he admitted. “We maintained a smaller group and did well, winning races at Keeneland, Churchill Downs and Kentucky Downs. But it just started to get a little bit lighter.

“At one point, when I had horses for Frank, I had about 50 horses just for him. That made a big difference. On the flipside, I once went from 50 horses in my barn to only a pony. There was another time when I had no horses. So, I've reinvented myself a few times.”

Granted the opportunity to usher a slew of top-caliber competitors to the zenith of their careers, Catalano also experienced the shaded underbelly of the game, having lost rising stars to the other trainers. Chief among them are the aforementioned Stephanie's Kitten, who went on to be a Grade I winner for Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown and Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), who would go on to win the 2011 GI Kentucky Derby and 2013 G1 Dubai World Cup for trainer Graham Motion.

Wayne Catalano & Dreaming of Anna | Horsephotos

Asked if those experiences had left a bitter taste in his mouth, Catalano's reply was almost unexpected.

“Honestly, I was sitting watching the Derby with my wife, Animal Kingdom wins and I felt great. I felt really good about it,” he said. “Why? Because I know, I had a hand in helping develop the horse and I got him to where he needed to be before Graham Motion took over. And he did a great job with the horse. It's like passing the 'Refridgerator' the ball to win the Super Bowl… Just don't drop the ball.”

He continued, “To have a good horse, to develop him and put him in that situation for him to win the Derby, that's what I do. To put in that early ground work and to see it come through, that's very rewarding. No, I didn't get the win for myself in the end, but I knew what it took to get there. It wasn't the easiest thing, but I got the satisfaction in knowing that I played a big part in that.”

Under the guidance of Catalano, Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Stephanie's Kitten won six stakes, including a pair at the Grade I level–the Alcibiades S. and Longines Just a Game S. In 2014, Brown took over training duties from Catalano and the homebred won an additional four stakes, including the 2015 GI Flower Bowl S. and GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

Catalano is quick to acknowledge that much of his success was built on horses with humble credentials rather than high-voltage pedigrees and physicals that often go to many of the bigger barns.

“To take a horse like Stephanie's Kitten, a homebred that couldn't sell for $17,000 and to win the Breeders' Cup, that's something to be proud of,” he said. “Also, She Be Wild was a $19,000 buyback at the sale and also went on to win a Breeders' Cup race. Room Service and Dreaming of Anna are also homebreds that won Grade Is. These are the horses I did it with. And not with million-dollar animals. I'm very proud of that.”

Despite facing a tighter ship of approximately 20-25 horses and a more streamlined roster of owners, Catalano has seen his share of success in recent years. Among the most notable are Coffee Pot Stables' Farrell (Malibu Moon), a seven-time stakes winner and earner of over $1 million. Her most notable wins were registered in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks, GII Rachel Alexandra S. and GII Golden Rod S. The homebred also finished runner-up in the GI La Troienne S. Making it a family affair, the filly was ridden throughout her career by Channing Hill, married to his and his wife Renee's daughter Shelbi. And Catalano admits that the importance of family, which includes three grandsons and a granddaughter on the way, is what propels him so much more these days.

“God knows what he is doing,” he asserted. “You have kids, a career and then you have your own grandchildren and you get to do it all over again, but you get to enjoy it a lot better. That's what I look forward to these days.”

Wayne Catalano & grandson Wayllen | Coady

On the Catwalk

Looking ahead to a 2022 campaign, the fun seems likely to continue for Catalano and Eclipse Thoroughbreds via Aloha West. According to the horseman, among options considered for the Maryland-bred is the $1.5-million Saudi Arabian Airlines Riyadh Dirt Sprint at King Abdulaziz Racecourse Feb. 26.

“I'm going to let the horse talk to me,” he said. “If he tells me he is ready to do something, then we'll make a plan as to what we want to do. It was a long trip [from Kentucky to California] and he came back good. We'll gather back up and go from there.”

With his Sprint champion safely back at the horseman's Lexington base on Rice Road, Catalano finally found a moment to reflect on his latest Breeders' Cup experience.

“When I was sitting up in the breakfast tent at the Breeders' Cup, watching the horses train I thought to myself, 'This is what it's all about, this is how every place should be,'” he said. “You get up seven days a week, three o'clock in the morning no matter if it's Christmas, Thanksgiving or New Year's and you put your whole life into this thing. You should have some fun. If you go to work every day and you enjoy it, then it isn't like work, right? Isn't that what they say?”

He continued, “The people around you also make a difference. Ones who can show their appreciation for the job that you did. Let's enjoy it. Everybody wants to win. To get there and have these moments, that's what's important. In these big races, we know only one horse is going to win. So just enjoy it win, lose or draw. [Eclipse Thoroughbreds'] Aron Wellman said to me before the [Sprint], 'No matter what the horse does, let's just have fun.' And that's what we did. That's what it's all about.”

And in the waning hours of Nov. 6, it seemed like things had come full circle for Catalano. Following a lifetime in service to the track and its inhabitants, all Catalano's hard work and struggles appeared to have converged into a single moment with a 4-year-old Maryland-bred getting his nose down first at the wire.

“I've been there a long time,” he said. “I started out many years ago–I was 15 years old when I started and I'm now 65. I've done it all, I've seen it all. Between the jockeys, agents, trainers and horses, you can name it and I can guide somebody through just about anything. After everything that I've accomplished, all the highs and lows, and to come back at this point with much less in the barn, and to win a race like that, we've done it. I feel good about it. I'm happy. All I want to do is make a good living, be close to my grandchildren and stay in the business…and to have fun.”

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Gam's Mission broke fastest, but Flavien Prat had Con Lima on the lead with a few strides of the gate, taking over before the first turn of the 1 3/16-mile Saratoga Oaks. Running easily on the front, Prat and Con Lima controlled the pace, setting fractions of :23.64 for the first quarter and :50.02 for the first half-mile. Behind her, Gam's Mission and Higher Truth stalked in second and third, poised to challenge Con Lima in the stretch.

Around the final turn, Gam's Mission made her move first but was not able to pass Con Lima, fading in the stretch. Higher Truth pursued the front runner in the last furlong, making up ground to get within a three-quarters of a length of Con Lima at the wire. Creative Flair, who was taken up early and had to go wide to find running room, was able to pass horses in the stretch to grab third. Plum Ali, Gam's Mission, Out of Sorts, Messidor, and Rocky Sky rounded out the field of eight.

The final time for the 1 3/16 miles was 1:54.42. Find this race's chart here.

Con Lima paid $8.10, $5.00, and $3.30. Higher Truth paid $6.80 and $4.00. Creative Flair paid $3.30 to show.

“I was analyzing the race beforehand and we were the only speed but I wasn't 100 percent sure with a couple of the Euros if they would show some initiative. I left it in Flavien's [Prat] hands and Plan A was to break well and see if anybody would try to take the lead away from us and if they didn't, we'd be happy to have it. It worked out really well,” Pletcher said after the Saratoga Oaks.

“The speed was pretty much me and the Godolphin filly [No. 7, Creative Flair] and it seems she broke a step slow. I broke better than her and I ended up on the lead,” jockey Flavien Prat told the NYRA Press Office after the race. “Going to the first turn I felt really comfortable. I was really pleased with the way she was traveling and I felt we were doing some easy fractions. She really kicked on well.”

Bred in Texas by Lisa Kuhlmann, Con Lima is a 3-year-old filly by Commissioner out of Second Street City, by Consolidator. Purchased for $22,000 from Niall Brennan Stables at the March 2020 Ocala Breeders Two-Year-Olds In Training Sale, she is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Joseph Graffeo, Del Toro, Eric Nikolaus, and Troy Johnson. With her win in the G3 Saratoga Oaks Invitational, Con Lima has five wins in eight starts in 2021, for a lifetime record of seven wins and five seconds in 13 starts, with career earnings of $884,865.

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Trained by Gavin Cromwell, Quick Suzy was bred in Ireland out of the Marju mare Snooze. She was a $23,712 yearling purchase at the 2020 Goffs October online sale, then later purchased privately by Eclipse in a deal brokered by bloodstock agent Joseph Burke.

“I told Gavin after Naas that after Ascot she'd probably be heading to America, but (Eclipse president) Aron (Wellman) said they are doing such a good job there was no reason to take her away from Gavin – which I was delighted to hear,” Burke told ATR. “After the Cheveley Park there's then five weeks until the Breeders' Cup, where she's got five weeks in between, so it fits in nicely and she'll run in the Juvenile Sprint Turf.”

Read more at attheraces.com.

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