Catapult earns back-to-back graded stakes wins in Del Mar Mile

Catapult used a ground-saving trip from the one hole to run down Fly to Mars in Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Del Mar Mile Handicap over turf, earning back-to-back graded stakes wins since moving his career to California.

The win also gave jockey Drayden Van Dyke his fifth of seven winning rides on the card, tying Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza for the most wins on a single day at Del Mar.

“So special. I had a day up at Santa Anita recently where I won the first four races, including a Grade I, and that was the best. But I think today goes past it,” Van Dyke said after the Del Mar Mile.

“I had a good trip and the right horse. It was a little hairy there turning for home; I had to wait for room. But then he got out and just went. Nice horse. I’ve got a couple more, too, so it may get better yet.”

Previously with Chad Brown on the East Coast, Woodford Racing moved Catapult to John Sadler before making his 2018 debut in June. The 5-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy ran second to Sharp Samurai in allowance company before turning the tables in the Grade 2 Eddie Read and winning as the longest shot on the board.

Sharp Samurai was beaten by Catapult again in the Del Mar Mile, even though he was placed second this time after interference from Fly to Mars.

After What a View set opening fractions of 23.25 and 46.71, Van Dyke started asking Catapult to make up ground, but there seemed to be a long way to go to catch Fly to Mars. Sharp Samurai was also in the mix, and when Fly to Mars tried to fend off a late run from Catapult, Sharp Samurai’s path was cut off, forcing him to duck inside for running room.

Catapult caught Fly to Mars and completed the race in 1:33.40, with Fly to Mars being disqualified to third.

Although Sharp Samurai was placed second, jockey Gary Stevens felt they could have won without the interference.

“That not only clost me the place, it cost me the win,” Stevens said. “I don’t think Drayden is going to get by me if I don’t get stopped. My horse was really coming.”

Sadler also had a thrilling weekend. A day before the Del Mar Mile, he won the Grade 1 Pacific Classic with Accelerate.

“I’m having a dream meet. We’re winning these big races and getting good trips and I can’t ask for anything more,” Sadler said. “What’s really nice is all the horses are running well. Everything is working out.

“I’m very happy with Catapult. He ran a good race in the Eddie Read and I wasn’t sure I was going to bring him back here. But I figured that since he’s so good on this turf course I wanted to run him twice here. We’re hoping he’ll end up in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.”