Catapult back from Pegasus World Cup in Frank E. Kilroe Mile
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Photo:
Eclipse Sportswire
Although he was the beaten favorite in his most recent start, Irish-bred River Boyne, who has won six out of his seven career turf starts at Santa Anita, will vie for favoritism in Saturday’s Grade 1, $400,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile on the turf with Kentucky-bred Catapult, who should relish a return to firm ground for John Sadler. The Kilroe, one of four graded stakes on Saturday, has attracted a field of six older horses.
RIVER BOYNE
Owner: Red Baron’s Barn, LLC & Rancho Temescal
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
A game head winner of the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile two starts back on Dec. 26, this 4-year-old colt was forced to steady a furlong out in the Grade 3 Thunder Road on Feb. 9, and finished fourth, beaten 1 1/4 lengths as the 3-5 favorite on a turf course that was listed as “good.” With regular rider Flavien Prat away to ride in Dubai, Drayden Van Dyke will try his hand for the first time on River Boyne, who has three wins and a second from five starts at one mile on turf.
CATAPULT
Owner: Woodford Racing, LLC
Trianer: John Sadler
A winner of two Grade 2 turf stakes three and four starts back at Del Mar this past summer, this 6-year-old horse by Kitten’s Joy was a close second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile two starts back on Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs. Keen in the early stages, Catapult finished fourth, beaten 4 ½ lengths over a yielding turf going 1 3/16 miles in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational last out on Jan. 26 at Gulfstream Park. The leading money earner in the field with $1,448,359, Catapult, who will be making his 18th career start, is 10: 3-4-1 at one mile on turf.
OHIO
Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Bruce Treitman
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Claimed for $50,000 six starts back on June 10 and a subsequent $28,000 claiming winner in his next start on Aug. 19, this 8-year-old Brazilian-bred gelding is enjoying a resurgence of late, with his most recent start resulting in a close second place finish in the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes here on Feb. 9, which came on the heels of a 6 ½-length tally in a minor one mile turf stakes at Turf Paradise Jan. 12.
FRANK E. KILROE MILE FIELD
Race 5 of 10; approximate post time 3 p.m. PT
1. Hunt—Brice Blanc—120
2. Ohio—Ruben Fuentes—120
3. Desert Stone—Geovanni Franco--120
4. Catapult—Drayden Van Dyke—122
5. Next Shares—Kent Desormeaux—124
6. River Boyne—Rafael Bejarano—122
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