Catholic Boy 'moving super' with Preakness undercard possible

There are a number of partners to involve in making the final call, but trainer Jonathan Thomas said Catholic Boy remains “strongly under consideration” to make his 4-year-old debut on the Preakness Stakes undercard after breezing five furlongs Saturday in 1:02.19 over Belmont Park’s inner turf.

“From a timing perspective, and the breeze we had this morning, it seems like it might line up and be the right move,” Thomas said of Pimlico Race Course’s Grade 2, $250,000 Dixie Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile race on the grass.

Thomas expected to consult with owners — the group includes Robert LaPenta, Madaket Stables, Siena Farm and Twin Creeks Racing Stables — on Sunday.

A son of More Than Ready, Catholic Boy won Grade 1 races on dirt and turf last season and made his most-recent start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. A troubled trip led to a 13th-place finish.

Saturday’s breeze, which went in company with stakes-winning filly Osare, marked Catholic Boy’s sixth timed drill of the year and third since moving from Florida’s Bridlewood Farm to Belmont.

“It’s not like our main target on the year. It’s a long year, and hopefully we’re involved in the rest of the racing calendar. I thought for what we’re trying to do, he certainly took a big step in the right direction today.”

Osare, the half-sister of Arrogate who won Kentucky Downs’ Dueling Ground Oaks in her last start, may also appear on Preakness day in the $100,000 Searching Stakes.

Thomas, who took in Grade 1 winner Diversify following the death of trainer Rick Violette, also returned the 6-year-old Bellamy Road gelding to the work tab Saturday. Diversify went three furlongs in 37 seconds over Belmont’s training track.

“He did it very well and very easily,” Thomas said. “I’m surprised with just how fit he actually is, which is a great thing.”