Catalina Cruiser shows ‘a little pop’ in Breeders’ Cup work
John Sadler, focused now on training Catalina Cruiser toward the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint as opposed to the $1 million Dirt Mile around two turns, sent what he calls “a super horse” out for a snappy final work Friday morning at Santa Anita Park.
Under jockey Flavien Prat, Catalina Cruiser, the 5-year-old son of Union Rags, got into a half-mile breeze quickly before finishing up in 47 2/5 seconds on Sadler’s watch.
Sadler “wanted him to show a little pop,” the trainer told TVG. “He kind of went off fast for the first quarter and then cruised to the wire. He’s essentially ready to go. He’s had a lot of training — a lot of spacing — for this race.”
Catalina Cruiser is 3-for-3 this season, following a stakes record win in Belmont Park’s True North (G2) in June by going back-to-back in a pair of summer features at Del Mar, the San Diego Handicap (G2) and Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2).
“He came out of it with a few aches and pains,” Sadler told TVG. “We gave him some time off from that. It wasn’t his day. He came right back, and he hasn’t disappointed us this year.”
With his barn star 7-for-8 overall, Sadler, along with principal owner Hronis Racing, had a choice to make in recent weeks, eventually opting to make the six-furlong Sprint the Breeders’ Cup race preference.
The trainer cited Catalina Cruiser’s better Ragozin numbers around one turn. Last year, by the way, the Dirt Mile went around one turn at Churchill Downs.
“It was a tough call, but ultimately I think the Sprint’s going to be a good race for him,” Sadler said. “It should be a lively pace. It should give a good setup for him. Hopefully we made the right choice.”
Upon retirement, it was announced this week, Catalina Cruiser will stand at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky.
Sadler has a deep lineup of Breeders’ Cup contenders beyond Catalina Cruiser, including Pacific Classic (G1) winner Higher Power in the Classic, Clement L. Hirsch (G1) heroine Ollie’s Candy in the Distaff and Selcourt in the Filly & Mare Sprint.